Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Wichita State poured on 18 runs and got a strong start from Caden Favors to roll past Little Rock 18-5 in the 2024 season opener at Gary Hogan Field.
The win is the first in the tenure of first-year head coach Brian Green and snaps WSU's five-game losing skid in season openers dating back to a win in 2018 against McNeese. The 18 runs are the most Wichita State has scored in a season opener since 1991, when the Shockers beat Saint Louis, 28-4.
The Shockers (1-0) battered around the nation's 2023 ERA leader in Little Rock starter Jackson Wells (0-1), knocking the righty out of the game with seven runs in just 2.0-plus innings of work. Ryan Callahan doubled home the first run of the season in the top of the first when Jordan Rogers was obstructed trying to score from first base and one batter later Mauricio Millan doubled the advantage with an RBI single. Rogers, who had just one career home run in two previous seasons at Wichita State, blasted a three-run shot to left in the second to cap a two-out rally that swelled the lead to 5-0.
Seth Stroh chased Wells with a monstrous two-run homer in the third, a blast that was measured at 490 feet on Little Rock's in-stadium Trackman system.
Favors (1-0) pitched around trouble for five scoreless innings in his debut as Wichita State's Friday starter. The lefty struck out a career-best eight hitters while walking only one. He was tagged for four runs in the sixth but still worked a career-high 5.2 innings to pick up the win.
The Wichita State offense continued the barrage against a parade of Little Rock relievers. Josh Livingston knocked in a run with an RBI ground out in the fourth that made it 8-0, then four more runs crossed in the sixth on a Callahan single, Livingston double, Jaden Gustafson single, and Darnell Parker Jr. hit by pitch with the bases loaded.
After the Trojans (0-1) cut the WSU lead to 12-4, the Shockers immediately fired back courtesy of a three-run triple from Stroh, who capped his incredible afternoon in the ninth inning with a two-run single to finish with a career-high seven RBI. Parker Jr. plated the final run of the day with a sacrifice fly.
Rogers, Callahan and Millan all reached base five times for the Shockers, with Rogers scoring a career-high five runs. The Shockers drew nine walks as a team and were hit four times.
Caleb Anderson picked up the save in his first Wichita State appearance, allowing just one run over 3.1 innings while striking out three.
Nico Baumbach homered twice and drove in three runs in a losing effort for Little Rock.
The Shockers and Trojans continue the series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch from Gary Hogan Field is scheduled for 2:00 pm.