Box Score

WICHITA - Ten Shocker hits and a flawless return for pitcher Charlie Lowell couldn't hold off Missouri State on Sunday, as the Bears shook off the first two losses to win the series finale, 10-3.

After being shutout in the first two games of their final Missouri Valley Conference series of the season, Missouri State (19-30, 5-13) overcame an early deficit to churn out 10 runs on Sunday afternoon.

Wichita State (34-18, 15-6) was led by two-hit performances from senior catcher Cody Lassley and freshman first baseman Johnny Coy. Sophomore Josh Smith (4-3) took the loss for the Shockers after allowing five runs - three earned - in 2.2 innings of work.

For the Bears, designated hitter Tyler Paxson and third baseman Curt Courtwright set the pace for the offense. Each racked up three RBI and combined for seven of the Bears' 15 hits. Starter Pat Doyle (5-8) threw well for Missouri State, earning the win in 7.1 innings on the mound, scattering nine Shocker hits for just one earned run, three total.

The Shocks got ahead early when senior outfielder Ryan Jones turned a Bear error into a run scored in the bottom of the first. Lassley dropped a perfect bunt towards third to move Jones over, setting him up to score on Coy's RBI single.

Smith worked himself out of a jam with a pair of strikeouts in the top of the second, but couldn't do the same in the Bears' next at bat. With two outs and nobody on, MSU went to work as seven-straight Bears reached base to highlight the six spot. Paxson, Courtright and first baseman Tyler Ryun connected for three-consecutive RBI singles for the Bears' first runs of the series. A defensive miscue kept the inning alive to allow catcher Brett Marshall to drive a double to the left field corner, scoring two, chasing Smith from the game and giving the Bears the 6-1 lead.

The hit parade hadn't stopped by the next inning as MSU picked up where they left off in the fouth. A walk followed by three more hits extended the Bears' lead to 8-1 and knocked reliever Logan Hoch from the game.

WSU threatened in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases with two down. Sophomore shortstop Tyler Grimes beat out an infield single to score a run, chipping away at the deficit, 8-2.

In his first appearance since his injury, sophomore lefty Charlie Lowell threw brilliantly, allowing just one hit and no runs in his two-inning appearance for a bright spot in the longest game of the series.

With two more runs added to his lead in the top of the fifth, Doyle held the Shockers scoreless for three-straight innings until the bottom of the eighth. Lassley's double to center sparked an offensive rally and junior designated hitter Preston Springer's single scored him. Unfortunately for the Shockers, neither team would score again.

-Wichita State-