Connor Lungwitz strikes out 10 in first WSU start

Wichita State freshman right-hander Connor Lungwitz made the most of his starting debut, going six scoreless innings, and the Shockers’ hitting caught up and breezed to a 10-2 victory over Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday night at Eck Stadium.

Lungwitz, a Maize High product, held the Lumberjacks to two hits, striking out 10 and walking one. Making his first start since a right-shoulder procedure in the fall, he displayed command throughout, a fact that was not lost on Shockers coach Todd Butler.

“For his first start, he did a fantastic job,” Butler said.

One of the hits was Matthew Dickey’s single leading off the game. Lungwitz prevented further damage, striking out both Kyle Thornell and Garrett McMullen swinging to end the inning.

“He really set the tone, got out of trouble in the first inning,” Butler said.

Lungwitz’s outing undoubtedly will lead to more starts, Butler said.

“That gives us another bullet for our team,” he said. “He’ll continue to improve, and he’s a freshman. He looked really good (Tuesday).”

For Lungwitz, it was especially nice to do this in front of friends and family.

“It was very exciting, coming off surgery in the fall,” he said. “Just coming out and having a start like that really boosts your confidence, lets you know you’ve still got it, you’re still a good pitcher.

“I was able to get into a groove, spot up and make some good pitches.”

Tyler Gibson pitched the final three innings and preserved Lungwitz’s victory.

Meanwhile, their teammates backed those efforts with a 10-hit attack, scoring early on Stephen F. Austin errors – the Lumberjacks committed five in the game.

Then the bats chimed in. Shortstop Tanner Kirk got a pitch into the 20-mph wind and sent it over the left-field fence leading off the fifth inning, pushing the Wichita State lead to 4-0.

Freshman Greyson Jenista hit his third homer of the season, sending a pitch over the right-field fence with two aboard in a four-run eighth that allowed the Shockers to absorb two runs in the top of the ninth.

Best of all, one of the Shockers’ nagging pitching problems never appeared. Lungwitz and Gibson only walked one batter each.

“It was a good night,” Butler said. “We played good defense, and it’s good for our team.”

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 10:50 PM with the headline "Connor Lungwitz strikes out 10 in first WSU start."