Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State polished off a three-game sweep of Rice with a 15-3 win on Saturday afternoon at Eck Stadium, a game that was called after the top of the seventh inning due to the ten-run rule.
With the victory, the Shockers (18-9, 5-1) remain tied atop the American Athletic Conference standings with UTSA, who is also 5-1.Rice (9-19, 1-5) struck for a pair of runs in the top of the first to take a 2-0 lead but could not slow down a relentless Wichita State attack. The Shockers answered immediately in the bottom of the inning with a three-run home run from Derek Williams to seize a 3-2 edge, then poured on one in the second, four in the fifth and seven in the sixth. Kam Durnin yanked a solo home run for the lone tally in the second, while the fifth featured RBI singles from Mauricio Millan and Jaden Gustafson in addition to a bases-loaded hit by pitch for Seth Stroh.
The seven-run sixth began with three walks and three hit by pitches, plating three runs and loading the bases for Stroh, who smashed a two-run double that put the run-rule into play at 13-2.
A Durnin sacrifice fly and run-scoring single from Darnell Parker Jr. wrapped up the scoring for Wichita State. The Shockers were hit by a pitch six times for the second time in the series, once again matching the program single-game record.
After the bumpy first, WSU starter Tommy LaPour (3-1) locked in with five consecutive scoreless innings. The righty struck out eight and walked two over his six total frames, allowing five hits and two runs. The combination of Jeremiah Arnett and Tyler Dobbs recorded the final three outs to close out the game for Wichita State.
Williams was the only Shocker to finish with multiple hits, going 2-for-3, but eight players recorded one hit and four produced multiple RBI, led by Williams with four.
Rice starter J.D. McCracken (2-3) took the loss, allowing eight runs on six hits over four-plus innings of work. Two Owls relievers failed to record an out during the seven-run sixth inning barrage.
The Shockers continue the homestand with a pair of midweek games, beginning Tuesday night against Oklahoma. First pitch from Eck Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 pm.