Wichita State baseball returns not one, but three Freshman All-American players.

Sophomores Greyson Jenista, Dayton Dugas and Alec Bohm each reached the honors in 2016.

“Those guys are dynamic players,” head coach Todd Butler said.

Butler expects the three to lead the rotation. At the top of the order, he said, those three can match with any other player in the country.

Jenista had as good of freshman season as Butler could’ve hoped for, scoring 36 runs on 56 hits and added five home runs. He was named to the All-MVC second team and dubbed MVC Co-Freshman of the Year.

“It’s a privilege to be able to be recognized for the field efforts,” Jenista said. “I think that last year’s awards and achievements just pushed the bar for this season. Coming off of my freshman year I’ve grown from those experiences and expect to keep pushing myself and my teammates to our full potential as a unit — each and everyday.”

Dugas scored more than 28 runs off of 49 hits. He made his mark stealing four bases to earn a spot with Jenista on the Valley’s second team.

“We come in as freshmen just trying to learn and get the chance to play,” Dugas said.

Bohm served his name true. He blasted in 20 runs on 54 hits as a designated hitter. He placed a spot on the MVC’s second team as a freshman.

Their experience quickly boasted them to leadership roles in Butler’s lineup, even as lowerclassmen.

“People look up to you after you win an award, especially as a freshman,” Dugas said. “You have to mature fast and grow up fast because even guys that are older than you kind of look up to you. You just have to set an example. You have to hold people responsible.”

The three successfully tied a close bond together through a first year of accolades.

“People say it’s a brotherhood,” Jenista said. “We have different bonds with different teammates, mine with these two are a little more.”

The bond is visible, and it leaves Butler little doubt about his starting rotation.

“They sharpen each other,” he said. “There’s no animosity or selfishness. If one guy does better they continue as a group to pull for each other.”

Butler said the three had a great campaign last year. His goal as a coach, he said, is to keep the trio hungry for success.

“They need to have good seasons,” Butler said. “Their work ethic is outstanding.”