Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament explained

Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament
Optional Subheader:Conference baseball championship
Sport:Baseball
Conference:Western Athletic Conference
Number Of Teams:8
Format:Double-elimination tournament
Current Stadium:Hohokam Stadium
Current Location:Mesa, Arizona
Years:1982–present
Most Recent:2024
Current Champion: (1)
Most Championships:Fresno State & Hawaii (6)
Website:WACSports.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

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

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

By year

YearSchoolSiteMVP
No tournament from 1963–1981. A two team "best of three" playoff was held instead.
1982Honolulu, HI
1983Provo, UT
1984Honolulu, HI
1985Provo, UT
1986San Diego, CA
1987Provo, UT
1988Honolulu, HI
1989Honolulu, HI
1990Honolulu, HI
1991Honolulu, HI
1992Honolulu, HI
No tournament from 1993–1996. A two team "best of three" playoff was held instead.
1997San Diego, CA
1998San Diego, CA
1999Fresno, CA
No tournament or playoff from 2000–2005.
2006Fresno, CAOzzie Lewis, Fresno State
2007Reno, NVBrian Lapin, Fresno State
2008Fresno StateRuston, LASteve Susdorf, Fresno State
2009Honolulu, HIJordan Ribera, Fresno State
2010HoHoKam StadiumMesa, AZKolten Wong, Hawaii
2011HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZDusty Robinson, Fresno State
2012HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZJordan Luplow, Fresno State
2013QuikTrip ParkGrand Prairie, TXMatt Sims, UTSA
2014Cubs Field • Mesa, AZChris Lewis, Sacramento State
2015HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZDavid Metzgar, CSU Bakersfield
2016HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZCraig Brinkerhoff, Utah Valley
2017HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZJustin Dillon, Sacramento State
2018HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZTristen Carranza, New Mexico State
2019HoHoKam Stadium • Mesa, AZDawsen Bacho, Sacramento State
2020Cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
2021Hohokam Stadium • Mesa, AZPierson Ohl, Grand Canyon
2022Hohokam Stadium • Mesa, AZCal Villarreal, New Mexico State
2023Hohokam Stadium • Mesa, AZWalker Janek, Sam Houston State
2024Hohokam Stadium • Mesa, AZCole Miears, Tarleton State

By school

SchoolTourney TitlesTitle Years
Fresno State62006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012
Hawaii61982, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1992, 2010
Rice31997, 1998, 1999
San Diego State31986, 1990, 1991
BYU31983, 1985, 1988
Sacramento State32014, 2017, 2019
New Mexico State22018, 2022
Cal State Bakersfield12015
Grand Canyon12021
Sam Houston State12023
Tarleton State12024
UTSA12013
Utah Valley12016

External links