ST. LOUIS-The Wichita State softball team split a pair of games Wednesday against the Saint Louis University Billikens at the Billiken Sports Center. The Shockers won game two, 7-2, after losing the opener, 1-0.

In game one of the doubleheader the Shockers were unable to drive in a critical first run stranding runners in scoring position five separate innings against Saint Louis starter Hannah Huebbe.

Shocker starter Sloan Anderson matched Huebbe inning for inning throughout the game until Erin Harcar hit a triple down the right field line in the bottom of the sixth inning. Harcar was driven in by Alyson Brand's RBI single immediately following the triple. Anderson allowed only five hits and struck out five batters while throwing her ninth complete game of the season.

Layne Greenlee led Wichita State at the plate going two-for-three.

The Shocker bats came to life in game two. Hayley Temple got things started with a RBI single to score Erin Carney in the second inning. Brianne Bond then scored on a wild pitch to give the Shockers an early, 2-0, advantage. After Saint Louis answered with a run in the bottom of the inning the Shockers increased their lead to 5-1 with one swing of the bat by Carney. The sophomore drove a ball to left field clearing the fences for a three-run homer.

Wichita State added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning getting an RBI from freshman Sydney Stuever. Stuever then scored from third base on a throwing error by the Saint Louis shortstop.

Katie Armagost pitched a great game in the circle working out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning and cruising from there allowing four hits and striking out two Saint Louis batters.

Wichita State will return to Missouri Valley Conference action Saturday for the start of a three game series at Illinois State. The Saturday doubleheader will begin at 12 p.m.

-WICHITA STATE-