Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita State bounced back from a shutout loss on Friday with a 9-1 walk-off, run-rule victory in six innings over UAB Saturday night at Wilkins Stadium.
Wichita State (20-19, 11-9) snapped a four-game losing streak, its longest of the season, behind a complete performance in all three phases. The Shockers pounded out nine runs on 12 hits at the plate, the defense played mistake-free softball and the pitching was superb.
Aside from a solo home run, Lauren Howell (4-4) was lights out in the circle. She tossed a complete game, allowing just three hits and two walks to go with six strikeouts.
Addison Barnard recorded her third multi-home run game of the season and 14th of her career with two home runs and five RBI, including the walk-off two-run shot off the United State flag in left field.
Taylor Sedlacek was 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Sami Hood doubled twice and drove in two runs. CC Wong scored three times to go with two doubles and two walks. Lainee Brown singled twice and Bailey Urbandrove in two on a double.
Wichita State made sure there wouldn't be a shutout two days in a row after putting three runs on the board in the bottom of the first. Back-to-back doubles from Urban and Hood combined for the early run support.
The Shockers added to their lead in the second behind a Barnard three-run opposite field missile and Hood's RBI double down the third base line.
UAB found the scoring column in the top of the fourth on a solo home run.
Finally after three scoreless frames, Wichita State put the cherry on top in emphatic fashion. Following Wong's leadoff double, Barnard drilled the first pitch she saw over the wall in left for a walk-off, two-run blast.
Wichita State and UAB wrap up the series Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on ESPN+.