Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Wichita State bounced back for a 7-5 win over Charlotte Saturday afternoon, avoiding a sweep.
Wichita State (17-12, 8-4) hasn't been swept in a conference series since joining the American Athletic Conference. The last time they were swept in a three-game league series was 2015 to Southern Illinois.
CC Wong and Addison Barnard tortured the Charlotte pitching staff. They each doubled and homered. Wong drove in a pair and scored three times and Barnard had three RBI and scored twice. Sami Hood was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a double. Krystin Nelson was crucial in turning the lineup over twice with two outs. She had two singles and scored both times.
Alex Aguilar (6-2) threw a complete game to record a tough win in the circle. She allowed five runs on 10 hits and two walks, while striking out four.
Like Friday night, Wichita State put its first three batters on to start the game, but didn't do much damage. An RBI groundout from Bailey Urban was all the Shockers could get out of a bases loaded, no out situation.
In the second, Krystin Nelson started a two-out rally. A single with two outs from Nelson, followed by a walk from Wong led to a three-run bomb from the all-time home run leader, Barnard. Her homer put Wichita State up 4-0.
Charlotte cut into the lead behind a single run in the third and fourth.
Another two-out RBI for the Shockers got a run back in the top of the fifth to make it 5-2. Barnard's leadoff double led to Hood driving her in on a single through the left side.
A sac fly from the Niners in the home half of the fifth again made it a two-run game.
Needing more insurance runs, the Shockers got two by way of a monster two-run shot from Wong in the sixth.For the fourth consecutive inning Charlotte scored a single run, closing the gap to 7-4.
The Niners would not go quietly in the seventh. They quickly loaded the bases with one out and made it 7-5 on an RBI groundout. Aguilar would finish it off on a pop-up in foul territory, stranding the tying run at first.
Up NextWichita State returns to Wilkins Stadium to host Tulsa, April 5-7.