Champions revisited: A timeline

Moments that shaped Wichita State’s 1989 College World Series

June 10, 1988 — Arizona State routs WSU 19-1 in the College World Series, eliminating the Shockers one win from the title game. Two days earlier, WSU led the Sun Devils 3-1 in the ninth inning with one out before losing 4-3 in 10 innings.

Jan. 17, 1989 — WSU starts practice ranked No. 7 by Baseball America, its highest preseason ranking since 1981.

Feb. 19 — WSU opens the season with a 5-1 loss at Arkansas, then wins a team-record 24 straight games.

March 20 — The Shockers complete a two-game sweep of Georgia Tech on ESPN in snow and wind at Eck Stadium, beating the Yellow Jackets 7-2 to win their 19th straight.

March 28 — Freshman Charlie Giaudrone throws a six-inning no-hitter against Fordham in Hawaii. He strikes out four and walks five in the 11-1 win, ended by the tournament’s time limit.

April 16 — The Shockers fall to 4-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference by splitting a doubleheader against Illinois State, winning 26-3 and losing 6-4. The Shockers lose right fielder Jeff Bonacquista, a four-year starter, for the season when he trys to score on a wild pitch in the loss. The throw breaks his left kneecap.

April 25 — Mike McDonald homers twice and Pat Meares hits a grand slam in a 17-5 win over Kansas State at Eck Stadium.

April 26 — The Shockers avenge an earlier loss to Oklahoma State with a 12-4 victory in Stillwater. Pitcher Greg Brummett walks six in a complete-game victory and first baseman Bryant Winslow homers twice and drives in seven runs.

May 7 — A doubleheader sweep of Creighton, 18-3 and 4-3, gives WSU its third straight MVC title.

May 17 — The NCAA announces eight regional sites, WSU not among them.

May 20 — Indiana State wins the MVC Tournament with a 12-7 victory over the Shockers at Eck Stadium.

May 21 — Despite the loss to Indiana State, the NCAA rewards WSU with a No. 1 seed, sending the Shockers to the West II Regional in Fresno, Calif.

May 25 — Shortstop Mike Lansing collapses in the batting cage during practice, victimized by a swollen disc in his back that leads to hamstring problems. The injuries end his season.

May 28 — A 14-5 loss to Michigan dumps WSU into the losers bracket, forcing the Shockers to beat Fresno State 6-4 to stay alive. Closer Jim Newlin throws 3 1/3 shutout innings, striking out six, against Fresno State. Mike Wentworth hits his first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the fourth inning for a 5-4 lead.

May 29 — The Shockers defeat Michigan 3-2 and 9-5 to win the regional. The Shockers manage only three hits, one a home run by Meares, in the first game. In the second game, WSU takes control with a six-run fourth inning.

June 2 — Brummett holds Arkansas to four hits and Newlin earns his 16th save in a 3-1 win over Arkansas to open the College World Series.

June 4 — Florida State’s Clyde Keller shuts down the Shockers on four hits in a 4-2 victory.

June 6 — Catcher Eric Wedge hits his 23rd home run and McDonald his 20th in an 8-4 win to eliminate Arkansas.

June 7 — Wedge drives in four runs in a 7-4 victory over Florida State. His two-run single after a 56-minute rain delay gives the Shockers a 5-3 lead in the eighth inning.

June 9 — The Shockers trail 4-1 entering the fourth inning against Florida State before Wentworth’s three-run home run off Keller. The Shockers add five runs in the seventh inning to win 12-9.

June 10 — Brummett limits Texas to six hits, striking out six, in a 5-3 win in the championship game. Meares’ home run in the bottom of the fifth inning gives the Shockers a 5-2 lead.

This story was originally published June 7, 2014 at 5:32 PM with the headline "Champions revisited: A timeline."