<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739679401114.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Wichita State Athletics
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CLEARWATER, Fla. &ndash;&nbsp;Wichita State split the final day of the Shriner's Childrens Clearwater Invitational, defeating Liberty, 3-2, before falling to No. 8/9 Florida State in 6 innings, 15-5, on Saturday evening at Eddie C. Moore Complex. &nbsp; With the split, the Shockers finish 1-4 at the Clearwater Invitational. Four of the five games were against teams ranked or receiving votes in the Top 25 polls. &nbsp; Game 1: Wichita State 3, #RV/No. 24 Liberty 2 &nbsp; The Shockers found themselves embattled in a pitching duel for the fourth consecutive game as Wichita State starter&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/alex-aguilar/9309" rel="smarttag" rev="9309" data-airgap-id="60">Alex Aguilar</a></dfn>&nbsp;carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning, but the Shocker bats were unable to provide run support, keeping the game scoreless.&nbsp; &nbsp; In the bottom of the fourth, the Flames broke through against Aguilar, recording three straight singles to take a 2-0 lead heading to the fifth. &nbsp; In the Shocker fifth, a response came, as three straight singles loaded the bases with one out for the Black and Yellow.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ellee-eck/9322" rel="smarttag" rev="9322" data-airgap-id="61">Ellee Eck</a></dfn>&nbsp;stepped to the plate and cleared the bases with a three-run double to left-center to give the Shockers a 3-2 lead.&nbsp; &nbsp; In the bottom half, Liberty was primed for an answer as the first two batters reached against reliever,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/chloe-barber/9310" rel="smarttag" rev="9310" data-airgap-id="62">Chloe Barber</a></dfn>, but a diving play by&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/taylor-sedlacek/9318" rel="smarttag" rev="9318" data-airgap-id="63">Taylor Sedlacek</a></dfn>, a strikeout from Barber and a lineout to&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/krystin-nelson/9315" rel="smarttag" rev="9315" data-airgap-id="64">Krystin Nelson</a></dfn>&nbsp;ended the threat without allowing a run to score. &nbsp; After a silent sixth, Liberty loaded the bases with nobody out against Barber in the seventh, and being just one swing of the bat away from a walk-off win. Against the odds, Barber closed out the game, behind a strikeout, inducing a popup to first base and ending the game with a groundout to second baseman,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sami-hood/9312" rel="smarttag" rev="9312" data-airgap-id="65">Sami Hood</a></dfn>, giving the Shockers the 3-2 win. &nbsp; Five Shockers recorded hits, but none bigger than Eck's bases-clearing double in the fifth. &nbsp; Aguilar earned the win, tossing 4.0 innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Barber notched her first save of the season, tossing 3.0 innings, allowing three hits, but no runs. &nbsp; Game 2: Wichita State 5, No. 8/9 Florida State 15&nbsp;(6) &nbsp; The highly-ranked Seminoles wasted no time in the game, scoring an unearned run in the bottom of the first to open the scoring. &nbsp; In the second, the Shockers put up an immediate response. Hood reached on a bunt single, and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/mila-seaton/9317" rel="smarttag" rev="9317" data-airgap-id="66">Mila Seaton</a></dfn>&nbsp;tied the game with a triple to right-center field. Following that,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/caroline-tallent/9319" rel="smarttag" rev="9319" data-airgap-id="67">Caroline Tallent</a></dfn>&nbsp;gave the Shockers the lead with a double to center field, scoring Seaton and giving WSU a 2-1 lead.&nbsp; &nbsp; In the third with the bases loaded,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/catelyn-beckerley/9328" rel="smarttag" rev="9328" data-airgap-id="68">Catelyn Beckerley</a></dfn>&nbsp;came through, ripping a two-run single up the middle to double the Shocker lead to 4-1. In the bottom half, FSU threatened, but freshman starter&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ava-sliger/9327" rel="smarttag" rev="9327" data-airgap-id="69">Ava Sliger</a></dfn>&nbsp;dealt with the trouble quickly to keep the Shockers up by three through three innings. &nbsp; After a scoreless fourth,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-lucas/9314" rel="smarttag" rev="9314" data-airgap-id="70">Lauren Lucas</a></dfn>&nbsp;launched a solo home run to right-center on the first pitch of the fifth inning to give the Shockers a 5-1 lead. Florida State responded in the bottom half quickly with an RBI to cut the Shocker lead to 5-2. The 'Noles added on with no-doubt, two-run homer down the left field line immediately after to make it a one-run game. &nbsp; Now, against reliever&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ryley-nihart/9325" rel="smarttag" rev="9325" data-airgap-id="71">Ryley Nihart</a></dfn>, the Seminoles loaded the bases with one out. Nihart walked home a runner, tying the game at 5-5. The walk brought Aguilar into the game and the No. 9 'Noles made the Shockers pay, ripping a bases clearing triple to right center to take an 8-5 lead, their first since it was 1-0. &nbsp; FSU added on an inning later, ripping another two-run shot down the left field line to take a 10-5 lead. The 'Noles added five in the inning, four on a grand slam to end the game in walk-off fashion in six innings with a score of 15-5. &nbsp; Hood's 2-for-2 evening led the Shockers at the plate. &nbsp;</div>

🥎 Shockers overcome Liberty, thumped by No. 8 Florida State