Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
WICHITA, Kan. -- Houston scored 16 two-out runs, including 13 in the top of the seventh, defeating Wichita State 17-3 on Saturday afternoon at Eck Stadium.
The Cougars (17-15, 4-2) had runners at first and third with two outs in the seventh, leading 4-3. 12 consecutive runners reached base from that point on against four different Shocker pitchers, including three-run homers from Justin Murray and Cary Arbolida and a three-run double from Malachi Lott. The result was a 13-run inning that put the run-rule into play, ending the contest after seven innings.
Wichita State (18-13, 3-3) fell into a quick 3-0 hole when the Cougars struck for three two-out runs in the first. Anthony Tulimero yanked a two-run double and Murray followed with an RBI single, both against Shocker starter Grant Adler (3-2), who was tagged for four runs over 5.0 innings of work with three strikeouts. The Shockers battled back with a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to trim the deficit to 4-3, setting the stage for Houston's outburst in the seventh. David Herring got the scoring started with an RBI single, and a Murray throwing error on a bouncer from Payton Tolle plated the other WSU runs.
Cade Citelli (2-3) earned the win for Houston, allowing three runs, one earned, over five innings. Kyle Ayers and Owen Woodward turned in scoreless innings in relief to close out the win for the Cougars.
The Shockers hit the road for five straight games, beginning on Tuesday with a trip to Norman to battle Oklahoma. First pitch against the Sooners is scheduled for 6:30 pm.