Box Score

WICHITA, Kan.- Wichita State (17-3) pounded out 17 hits en route to a 14-3 victory over North Dakota State.

Sophomore Ryan Jones went 4-for-5, collecting four RBI and scoring one run.  Senior Tyler Weber was 3-for-5 also with four RBI and one run.  Dusty Coleman and Kenny Williams, Jr., ended with multiple hits and Coleman and Workman had two RBI each.

The Shockers struck quickly, scoring three runs in the first inning off of starter Ben Mathiason.  Andy Dirks led of the game with a single to left field, followed by an RBI double off the bat of Ryan Jones.  Left fielder Kole Zimmerman misplayed a ball that allowed Conor Gillaspie to reach second and Jones advanced to third.  Dusty Coleman grounded out to short, but it was good enough to cross Jones.  Josh Workman hit a sacrifice fly deep to second base, but the ball popped out of Preston Ghizoni's glove.  The runner was safe on the error and earned an RBI on the play as Gillaspie made it 3-0.

Wichita State really got it going in the second inning, adding five more runs.  Williams led off with a single down the left field line.  Zimmerman incurred another error, putting Andy Dirks aboard. Three consecutive singles from Gillaspie, Coleman and Workman plated the first three runs.  Runners were at second and third on a wild pitch and Weber fired one to center field for two RBI.

North Dakota State only scored in one inning, crossing three runs in the fifth.  With one out, Gavin Hofer singled to the left-center gap and Billy Gazich drew a walk.  Ghizoni singled through the right side and Luke Otto hit a fielder's choice, but all runners were safe and Gazich scored on a wild throw by Gillaspie.  A sacrifice fly Sebastian Miles cut the score to 8-3.

The Shocker scored two runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth.  Williams hit a single past a diving short stop and Dirks reached on four-straight balls.  A triple off the left-center wall by Ryan Jones plated both runners.

WSU topped the offense with four runs in the sixth.  A Coleman double to right field and Workman drew a walk.  McKeever singled in the gap to score Coleman and Weber doubled in the same place to cross two more runs.  The final run was brought home by a Jones single through the right side.

Starter Rob Musgrave threw seven innings, giving up three runs though only one was earned.  The senior left-hander scattered five hits and one walk while striking out six.

Tyler Fleming and Matt Smith each faced the minimum in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively.

Wichita State will face North Dakota State in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon starting at 2 p.m.
 

-Wichita State-