TEMPE, Ariz.-Rachel Milnark's second inning grand slam was one of three home runs hit by the Wichita State softball team as they cruised to a five-inning victory over Howard, 9-1, in the first of two games on the day. In the nightcap the Shockers were blanked, 9-0, by defending national champion Arizona State.

Milnark's blast over the right-center field fence against Howard was the spark that lit the fuse as the Shocker bats came to life amassing 12 hits in the five-inning affair. Following Milnark's lead, Holly Eckert and Erin Carney each delivered solo home runs in the third and fifth innings respectively. Carney added a pair of singles earlier in the game and scored three runs.

After giving up a lead off solo home run to Howard third baseman Jenny Ly, Shocker sophomore pitcher Sloan Anderson settled in and limited the Bison to only two more hits en route to picking up her third victory of the season.

Against Arizona State the Shockers were unable to solve the mystery that was Sun Devil starter Hillary Bach. Bach pitched her first career perfect game, striking out five Shocker batters in the process of the Sun Devil 9-0 victory.

The lone Shocker highlight came on defense when Milnark threw a strike to second base from the wall in left-center field to nail two-time All-American shortstop Katelyn Boyd attempting to stretch a base hit into a double.

Wichita State will conclude their trip to the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational with a 9 a.m. (MST) game with Boise State.

-WICHITA STATE-