Box Score

WICHITA , Kan. ? Wichita State's Tim Kelley and Grant Muncrief baffled No. 10 Pepperdine hitters all afternoon, and the Shockers (7-6) manufactured just enough offense to take a 2-1 victory on Friday at Eck Stadium.

Kelley got the start for the Shockers, going six innings while giving up just one run on four hits, while striking out eight and walking none for the no decision. Muncrief entered in the seventh and nearly shut down the entire Wave offense, allowing just two hits in three innings, while striking out two to get the win. His record improved to 2-0 on the season.

Tyler Grimes was the hero for the Shockers on offense going 3-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI. Clint McKeever knocked in the other run, and Chris O'Brien was 2-for-3.

For Pepperdine, Colin Rooney was 2-for-3 with a home run to provide the only offensive output on the day. Wave starter Nathan Newman went 7.1 innings, allowing two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and no walks.

The Shockers manufactured a run in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead over the Waves. Freshman Tyler Grimes hit a one-out single and moved up to second on a groundout by Ryan Jones. With two outs, Clint McKeever blooped a single that fell in front of the Pepperdine centerfielder.

Kelley continued his solid start keeping Pepperdine scoreless into the fifth, piling up eight strikeouts in the process. The Waves got one run off Kelley to tie the score in fifth, before giving way to Grant Muncrief in the sixth.

Muncrief cruised through the potent Pepperdine lineup through the eighth, striking out one and allowing just two hits.

Meanwhile, Pepperdine starter Nathan Newman was equally as effective as Kelley through 7.1 innings. Newman gave way to Tyler Hess with one out in the eighth and a runner on second. The Shockers moved the runner to third, and Will Baez drew a two-out walk to put runners on the corners with two outs.

Grimes, who scored the Shockers first run in the first inning, came through again in the eighth with a clutch single up the middle to score pinch runner Kevin Hall from third and give Wichita State a 2-1 lead. Baez and Grimes moved up to second and third on a wild pitch from reliever Tyler Hess with Ryan Jones at the plate. Jones drew a walk to keep the Shocker threat alive with the bases loaded for McKeever. McKeever hit a line drive to center, but Pepperdine made the play to set the stage for the ninth.

Muncrief got the first hitter to pop up and then struck out Matt Frazee on a fastball over the outside corner, then got Brian Humphries to ground out to McKeever at first to seal the win.

The Shockers and Waves will be back on the field tomorrow for the second of a three-game series at 2 p.m.

--WICHITA STATE--