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Big day for Shockers, inside and out

February 18, 2011|By Grant Meech | KWCH 12 Eyewitness Sports

(WICHITA, Kan.) — You would be hard pressed to find a bigger day for the Shockers than Feb. 18 as two of the schools most storied programs play on big stages today. 

The nation's 23rd-ranked baseball team opens its 2011 season at Tyler Field at Eck Stadium against the University of Niagra.

The Shockers return 10 starters from last season's team that went 15-6 in the Missouri Valley Conference and finished tied for first place.

Tim Kelly got the start for Wichita State in the opening game.

Friday's game, and the rest of the season, will be played with heavy hearts as the Shockers will play without pitcher/outfielder Mitch Caster. Caster died in a car accident before the season.

Hard to go inside with the warm weather outside, but in the Roundhouse tonight, the Shockers will face Virginia Commonwealth in ESPN's Bracketbuster game. Tip off is set for 6 p.m.

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Shockers (22-5, 13-3 MVC) are tied atop the Missouri Valley standings with Missouri State.

VCU (20-8) is third in the Colonial Athletic Assocation (CAA) and will be the antithesis of a typical MVC team. The Rams will try to run the floor and speed the game up and force WSU to play on its heels or in transition.

Joe Ragland will get his third start tonight at point guard.

Gregg Marshall's crew needs a big win to help its at-large stance with the NCAA Tournament Committee if the Shockers want to be picked for the NCAA Tournament.

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