NORMAL, Ill. - Wichita State played another close game with preseason MVC favorite Illinois State but was unable to come away with their first MVC win of the season falling 4-1.

Wichita State (7-23, 0-6) gained an early 1-0 lead when Melanie Jaegers followed Rachel Milnark's double to left centerfield with a single to center that plated Milnark in the fourth inning.

The lead would not hold as Illinois State (18-13, 5-1) got a bases clearing double from Kelsey Turczyn and another insurance run to take a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the inning.

Jordan Birch got her third victory of the series pitching the complete game allowing one earned run and striking out seven Shocker hitters.

The Shockers will now return to Wichita for a season-long seven game home stand beginning with a 12 p.m. doubleheader with Northern Iowa on Saturday, March 31.

 

-WICHITA STATE-