CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The Wichita State softball team notched its first wins of the 2008 season in the final day of the Chattanooga Shootout Sunday at Jim Frost Stadium. The Shockers defeated Kentucky 6-2 in the early game, before downing the host UT-Chattanooga Mocs 4-2 in the afternoon game.

 

Wichita State 6, Kentucky 2
Wichita State (1-2) was spotted an early run when Kentucky's Lindsay Brogdon was called for eight illegal pitches in the top of the first inning. Katie McGeeney led off the inning with a four-pitch walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kiersten Dixon, and scored on two-straight Brogdon balks.

The Shockers added two more runs in the third courtesy of their first home run of the season off the bat of Britnee Barnett. The two-run shot sailed over the left-centerfield fence to give the Shockers a 3-1 edge going into the bottom of the third inning.

Kentucky (2-1) answered back with a single run in the bottom of the third. Audrey Meyer singled to start the inning, advanced to second on a throwing error by WSU's Jamie Hull, and scored on a single by Natalie Smith. After three innings, the Shockers led 3-1.

Kiersten Dixon posted another run on the board for WSU in the top of the fifth. Her long fly to right field landed less than a foot inside of the foul line, and allowed her to advance to third with a triple. She later scored on a passed ball to give the Shockers a 4-1 advantage.

Ashly Bright replaced freshman Brianna Smet in the pitchers circle with one out in the fifth. With runners on second and third, Bright struck out the side to end the UK threat with WSU leading 4-2.

The Shockers gave themselves some breathing room in the sixth inning. After singling to start the inning, Jamie Hull and Jamie Standclift, who walked, scored on a triple to right-center by Kara L'Huillier. The runs gave WSU the 6-2 margin they held on to win by.

Smet (1-0) picked up her first win of the season. The freshman pitched 4.1 innings while allowing two runs on six hits. Bright earned the save by striking out six of the game's final 10 batters in her first save of the season.

 

Wichita State 4, UT-Chattanooga 2

The Shockers (2-2) struck first once again, posting a run after a Heather Gerritse single allowed Katie McGeeney to score from third. McGeeney walked to start the inning. The run gave WSU a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the first.

Shocker ace Ashly Bright held the Lady Mocs at bay through the first four innings of the game. The senior gave up just one hit while striking out seven of the game's first 12 batters.

The Mocs (1-2) wouldn't go quietly, however. A single by pinch-hitter Michelle Fuzzard allowed Tori Hutchinson to score from second and tie the game at 1-1.

The Shockers made a final push in the top of the seventh. Pinch running for Jessica Spencer, Christina Rios and Katie McGeeney scored when UTC second baseman Tiffany Baker booted a ground ball from Kiersten Dixon that would have been the final out of the inning. Dixon would score one batter later off a Britnee Barnett single to center to give Wichita State a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the seventh.

Once again, the Mocs responded in the bottom of the seventh. Brittney Eason scored on a Toni Hutchinson double, but Bright answered back with two quick strikeouts to help end the inning and preserve the Shockers' 4-2 win

Bright (1-1) picked up her first win of the season. The senior gave up two runs on four hits while posting 11 strikeouts in a complete game effort.

The Shockers will take most of the week off before heading to the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif., next weekend.

--Wichita State--