KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Wichita State softball team split Wednesday's nonconference doubleheader at UMKC losing game one, 4-1, before winning game two by a 3-2 final tally in eight innings.

UMKC took a 1-0 lead in the second inning of game one on a Megan Vicino two-out infield RBI single to score Briana Wyatt.

With Wichita State unable to put together a rally against UMKC starter Jacinda Ramos, the Roo's extended their lead to 4-0 with a three-run fourth inning.

With Wichita State down to their final three outs in the seventh inning their bats threatened a final comeback. Back-to-back singles from Sydney Stuever and Hayley Temple set the tone for the inning. Erin Carney then set the Wichita State single season record for hit by pitch when she was hit by her 14^th pitch of the season to load the bases. Melanie Jaegers delivered a sacrifice fly to score Stuever and put the Shockers on the scoreboard. Brianne Bond followed with a fly out to center before Holly Eckert drew a two-out walk to load the bases. Layne Greenlee stepped in the box and laced a ball to the UMKC third baseman to end the game and the Shocker comeback.

In Wednesday's second game, strong pitching performances from Sloan Anderson and Katherine Johnson for Wichita State and Ramos for UMKC kept the game flowing at a breakneck pace.

UMKC earned a 1-0 lead in the third inning on another two-out RBI single to left field.

Wichita State got a leadoff double to left centerfield from Rachel Milnark to open the top of the sixth inning. Danika Miller sacrifice bunted Milnark to third and reached second on a fielding error by the third baseman. Stuever then drove a sacrifice fly to deep center to score Milnark and tie the game, 1-1.

In the top of the eighth inning and the International tiebreaker rule in effect the last out of the previous inning is placed at second base with no outs to start the inning.

With Milnark beginning the inning at second base, Miller dropped down a sacrifice bunt that was thrown into right field by the UMKC third baseman scoring Milnark. Following a pair of pop outs, Erin Carney delivered a triple to left centerfield to score Miller and give the Shockers a 3-1 advantage.

Sloan Anderson reentered in relief of Katherine Johnson, who threw four innings of shutout relief. The runner placed at second base scored to close the gap to 3-2 but Anderson struck out Megan Ussary stranding runners on first and second base to end the game.

Wichita State will travel to Drake for a three-game series May 6-7 to close out the regular season. The Shockers have a ½ game lead over Indiana State for the final berth in the MVC tournament.

- WICHITA STATE -