WICHITA, Kan. - After a month on the road, Wichita State's home cooking was exactly what the doctor ordered, as the Shocker bats came alive to the tune of 13 runs and 16 hits, as WSU (10-15) went 2-0 on the first day of the Shocker Invitational at Wilkins Stadium.

The Shockers won the first game of the day against Minnesota, 6-3, before racing past Western Illinois, 7-2 in the nightcap. WSU is next in action tomorrow in the second day of the Shocker Invitational, with games against Minnesota and Western Illinois beginning at 3 p.m.

Shockers 7, Western Illinois 2

WSU (10-15) got on the board early and often against WIU, scoring seven runs in the first two innings. Katie McGeeney led the game off with a double to right-center and came home on a single by shortstop Britnee Barnett. Barnett's single was the first of three-straight for the Shockers, as the junior later came home on a De La Riva base hit, giving WSU a 2-0 lead.

The Shockers scored five runs in the second, getting things started with an Ashly Bright two-run homer that brought home Kara L'Huillier, who led the inning off with a walk.

After McGeeney drew a walk and Barnett singled, Cynthia Verhulst laced a base hit to center, driving in McGeeney to put the Shockers up 5-0. The other runs came off the bat of De La Riva, who continued her day with a triple, which drove in Verhulst and Barnett to cap the Shockers' scoring, ahead 7-0.

Western Illinois clawed back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to a two-RBI single from leadoff hitter Jennifer Garcia, but the Westerwinds had little to answer WSU senior Margo Pruis (5-5), who carried a no-hitter into the fifth, and finished the complete-game effort having given up just two hits while striking out eight.

WIU starter Kamren Ferguson (2-2) took the loss for the Westerwinds, working just an inning, while giving up four earned runs on five hits.

Shockers 6, Minnesota 3
Wichita State opened and closed the game with a pair of three-run innings as the Shockers (9-15) held off a late rally to slide past Minnesota (8-9), 6-3, Friday afternoon at Wilkins Stadium.

The Shockers got on the board first with a three-run homer by Cynthia Verhulst, her fourth of the season. Minnesota answered with a run in the top of the third, but WSU responded late with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Verhulst started the inning off with a walk, before turning the base running over to freshman Lauren Coleman, who got to third on a Stephanie De La Riva double. Coleman crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by freshman Kara L'Huillier, and a Minnesota error brought home De La Riva as well, giving WSU a 5-1 lead. Lindsie Mitts' triple brought home Elissa Zeches to put the Shockers up 6-1 going to the seventh.

The Golden Gophers rallied in the seventh with two runs, but Shocker starter Britnee Barnett (3-3) settled and got the final out along with the complete-game victory. Barnett gave up two earned runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out one. Katie Dalen (2-3) took the loss for UMN, working 5.0 innings, giving up five earned on four hits.