AUSTIN, Texas- Wichita State (9-5) opened play at the Texas Classic with a 7-3 win against Wisconsin (6-10), Friday afternoon at McCombs Field.

The Shockers struck first in the top half of the first as Katie McGeeney led off the game with a walk and advanced to second on a groundout. After Cynthia Verhulst walked, Heather Gerritse hit a bloop-single behind first base. McGeeney scored on the play and a throwing error by the right fielder allowed Verhulst to score for a 2-0 Shocker lead.

UW cut the lead in half with a run in the bottom of the first when Joey Daniels was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on two illegal pitches. Second baseman Livi Abney singled her home. In the second, Daniels doubled to drive in a run and scored on another single by Abney for a 3-2 lead.

McGeeney gave WSU the lead again by driving in Lauren Coleman and Kierston Dixon with her second double of the season. Coleman had led off the inning with a walk while Dixon bunted and was safe via a throwing error by pitcher Letty Olivarez.

Kara L'Huillier kept the rally alive by scoring McGeeney on a single. Britnee Barnett and Verhulst followed with singles to load the bases. Gerritse singled home L'Huillier and Jamie Stanclift walked to score Barnett and give the Shockers a 7-3 lead.

After the dust settled, WSU had sent 11 hitters to the plate with a string of seven straight reaching base in the inning.

Verhulst picked up the win after pitching in relief of Brianna Smet. Verhulst went 3.2 innings surrendering just two hits and two walks with one strikeout. Reigning Missouri Valley Pitcher of the Week Ashly Bright came in to close the door, pitching 1.2 innings allowing one hit and striking out four.

The Shockers will take on host No. 22 Texas at 5:05 p.m. today.