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Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament
Conference baseball championship
Western Athletic Conference Logo
SportBaseball
ConferenceWestern Athletic Conference
Number of teams8
FormatDouble-elimination tournament
Current stadiumHohokam Stadium
Current locationMesa, Arizona
Played1982–present
Last contest2024
Current championTarleton State (1)
Most championshipsFresno State & Hawaii (6)
Official websiteWACSports.com Baseball

The Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament is the conference championship tournament in baseball for the Western Athletic Conference. The winner of the tournament receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I baseball tournament.

Tournament

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The Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament is an eight team double-elimination tournament held annually at various locations throughout the Western Athletic Conference region. The winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. The other teams have to hope for an at-large bid.

History

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From 1963-1981, the WAC baseball champion was determined by a best of three playoff between the division champions.

The WAC baseball tournament first started in 1982. It began as a double elimination tournament involving the top two finishers in each division. The conference kept this format through 1987.

In 1988, the conference discontinued divisional play and the top four finishers in the regular season advanced to the double elimination tournament. This format lasted through 1992.

Divisional play again resumed in 1993. The conference did not hold a tournament and instead opted for a best of three playoff between the two divisional winners to determine the champion.

In 1997 and 1998, the WAC began a six-team tournament that included the winners of each of three divisions, along with three at-large teams.

In 1999, the WAC once again eliminated divisional play. The top six finishers in the regular season advanced to the tournament.

There was no tournament from 2000 until 2005.

In 2006, the WAC brought back a tournament and the top six finishers in the regular season advanced to the postseason.

In 2022 the WAC resumed divisional play and began an eight team tournament with the top four teams in each division advancing.

Champions

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By year

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Year School Site MVP
No tournament from 1963–1981. A two team "best of three" playoff was held instead.
1982 Hawaii Honolulu, HI
1983 BYU Provo, UT
1984 Hawaii Honolulu, HI
1985 BYU Provo, UT
1986 San Diego State San Diego, CA
1987 Hawaii Provo, UT
1988 BYU Honolulu, HI
1989 Hawaii Honolulu, HI
1990 San Diego State Honolulu, HI
1991 San Diego State Honolulu, HI
1992 Hawaii Honolulu, HI
No tournament from 1993–1996. A two team "best of three" playoff was held instead.
1997 Rice San Diego, CA
1998 Rice San Diego, CA
1999 Rice Fresno, CA
No tournament or playoff from 2000–2005.
2006 Fresno State Fresno, CA Ozzie Lewis, Fresno State
2007 Fresno State Reno, NV Brian Lapin, Fresno State
2008 Fresno State Ruston, LA Steve Susdorf, Fresno State
2009 Fresno State Honolulu, HI Jordan Ribera, Fresno State
2010 Hawaii HoHoKam StadiumMesa, AZ Kolten Wong, Hawaii
2011 Fresno State HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZ Dusty Robinson, Fresno State
2012 Fresno State HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZ Jordan Luplow, Fresno State
2013 UTSA QuikTrip ParkGrand Prairie, TX Matt Sims, UTSA
2014 Sacramento State Cubs Field • Mesa, AZ Chris Lewis, Sacramento State
2015 Cal State Bakersfield HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZ David Metzgar, CSU Bakersfield
2016 Utah Valley HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZ Craig Brinkerhoff, Utah Valley
2017 Sacramento State HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZ Justin Dillon, Sacramento State
2018 New Mexico State HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZ Tristen Carranza, New Mexico State
2019 Sacramento State HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZ Dawsen Bacho, Sacramento State
2020 Cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
2021 Grand Canyon Hohokam Stadium • Mesa, AZ Pierson Ohl, Grand Canyon
2022 New Mexico State Hohokam Stadium • Mesa, AZ Cal Villarreal, New Mexico State
2023 Sam Houston State Hohokam Stadium • Mesa, AZ Walker Janek, Sam Houston State
2024 Tarleton State[1] Hohokam Stadium • Mesa, AZ Cole Miears, Tarleton State

By school

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School Tourney Titles Title Years
Fresno State 6 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012
Hawaii 6 1982, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1992, 2010
Rice 3 1997, 1998, 1999
San Diego State 3 1986, 1990, 1991
BYU 3 1983, 1985, 1988
Sacramento State 3 2014, 2017, 2019
New Mexico State 2 2018, 2022
Cal State Bakersfield 1 2015
Grand Canyon 1 2021
Sam Houston State 1 2023
Tarleton State 1 2024
UTSA 1 2013
Utah Valley 1 2016
  • Italics indicate that the program is no longer a WAC member.
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References

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  1. ^ Tarleton State transitioning from Division II and ineligible for NCAA Regionals. Automatic bid goes to Grand Canyon.