Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
NEW ORLEANS -- Wichita State banged out 15 hits, including a season-high seven doubles, knocking off Tulane 7-4 on Sunday afternoon at Turchin Stadium. The win secured the series victory, WSU's first series win at Tulane in program history.
The Shockers (20-15, 5-4) once again jumped out to a quick lead in the top of the first. Chuck Ingram doubled to start the game, moved to third on a bunt single from Brock Rodden, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Garrett Pennington for a 1-0 advantage. That two-bagger kicked off another incredible game for Ingram, who finished four-for-five with three doubles and three runs scored, giving him 10 hits in the three-game series.
Wichita State made the most of a trio of two-out scoring opportunities to extend the lead in the middle innings. In the third, Jack Little rifled a two-out RBI double to plate Mauricio Millan, lengthening the lead to 2-0. Garrett Pennington doubled home a run with two away in the fourth, and Rodden made it 4-0 by beating out an infield single in the sixth.
That appeared to be more than enough support for Shocker starter Grant Adler, who had cruised through the first five innings without allowing a run. The Green Wave (10-26, 4-5) fought back in the sixth with a pair of unearned runs, breaking up the shutout on a bases-loaded walk by Brennan Lambert before Jake LaPrairie trimmed the WSU lead to 4-2 on a groundout. Tulane then tied the game in the seventh thanks in part to two Shocker errors, setting the stage for a Simon Baumgardt RBI double that knotted the score at 4-4.
Adler settled for a no-decision, allowing just five hits and one earned run in 6.1 innings.
The Shockers struck right back in the top of the eighth with three runs. Jordan Rogers came off the bench to start the rally with a leadoff double, and Kyte McDonald followed with a double of his own to give Wichita State a 5-4 lead. Ingram capped his monster afternoon by rifling an RBI single, coming in to score later in the inning on a double play grounder to restore the WSU lead to 7-4.
Robert Cranz (1-1) took it the rest of the way for Wichita State, turning in a dominant outing in relief. The right-hander fired 2.1 scoreless innings with a career-best five strikeouts, allowing just a single base hit and no walks. He set the side down in order in the ninth to secure the win.
Grant Cleavinger (0-1) took the loss for Tulane, allowing three hits and a run in 1.1 innings out of the bullpen.
Wichita State wraps up the road swing with a trip to Manhattan on Tuesday for an in-state battle with Kansas State. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm.