Change in batting order pays off for Wichita State’s offense

Wichita State settled on its current batting order more from necessity than choice.

All that matters is that it seems to work. After searching for a consistent lineup most of the season, coaches moved their best hitters up a spot, returning Daniel Kihle to the leadoff spot, two weeks ago. In the eight games since, WSU is 5-3 and continued an offensive surge that took off even before the change.

“You’d like to find something and stick with it,” assistant coach Brian Walker said. “It allows those guys to get get up more and I think, as you’ve seen in the closer games, they’ve come up in some of the bigger, key situations because they are pushed to the top a little more bit than they would be in a prototypical lineup.”

The Shockers (22-29) have won four straight games and 8 of 11, their best stretch since March, entering Tuesday’s game against Oral Roberts (35-13) at Eck Stadium.

Witht that lineup, WSU averaged 8.7 runs in four games last week. Sam Hilliard and Ryan Tinkham, WSU’s top power threats, hit second and third and freshman Gunnar Troutwine moved up to the cleanup role. If the Shockers are going to stay in the top half of the Missouri Valley Conference and make their stay in the MVC Tournament memorable, this is the lineup.

While those four have been among WSU’s most consistent hitters this season, players lower in the order are heating up and giving the lineup more depth. Outfielder Mikel Mucha hit .545 against Evansville, raising his average to .346 over the past 10 games, and homered to win Friday’s game in WSU’s final at-bat. Freshman shortstop Trey Vickers, who hits No. 9, is hitting .333 in his past 15 games.

“You’re seeing Vickers settle into the season,” Walker said. “You’re starting better at-bats and growth from him, and the other guys at the bottom.”

Troutwine is taking on two high-profile roles in his rookie season, taking over at catcher as he moved from the lower parts of the order to No. 5 and now cleanup. He is hitting .295 in 30 starts with a .389 on-base percentage that ranks third on the team and a .432 sluggign percentage. His 27 RBIs are tied for third with Kihle, trailing Hilliard’s 40 and Tinkham’s 35.

Writing a freshman’s name into the cleanup role didn’t take much debate. Troutwine’s 13 walks make him one of WSU’s most patient hitters and his three home runs show a potential for power. Walker saw a high school hitter with the discipline to ignore borderline pitches, using a batting stance that allows him to get a good look at pitches.

“He’s been in key situations and come through,” Walker said. “The growth that he’s experiencing this season is going to pay big-time dividends.”

Troutwine finished his final exams on Monday afternoon and met with Walker for work in the batting cage after a series in which he hit .222 in a sweep of Evansville. He managed to homer, walk twice and drive in four runs. Coaches expect his power to increase as he refines his ability to drive the ball in the air and use his strength.

“He has a pretty good idea of staying in the (strike) zone and not chasing balls,” Walker said. “This weekend, he got himself out a little more often than we’re accustomed to. Being in the four-hole and having some good numbers, you are going to be pitched tougher in key situations.”

Troutwine, from Shawnee Mission East, is also refining his catching skills. Walker saw a turning point two weeks ago, when Troutwine dropped his hips and narrowed his stance to give him more mobility behind the plate.

“It’s easier to catch and it’s easier to block balls,” Troutwine said. “It’s less fatigue on my legs and I have more stamina as I go deeper in to the games.”

There is no shortage of teachers for a young catcher at WSU. Walker sometimes pulls out DVDs of his minor-league career with the Los Angeles Angeles, an organization known for catching fundamentals prioritized by manager Mike Scioscia. Student coach Parker Zimmerman is a former catcher and fifth-year senior Bob Arens is a strong defender.

“As a freshman, I want to be open to everything,” Troutwine said. “I want to take in as much as possible.”

This story was originally published May 11, 2015 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Change in batting order pays off for Wichita State’s offense."