FT. MYERS, Fla. - Wichita State came back from a 3-1 sixth inning deficit to defeat Appalachian State, 4-3, in the final game of the day Saturday night at the La Quinta Inn and Suites Tournament in Ft. Myers, Fla.

Appalachian State (1-3) got off to a fast start in the first inning drawing a pair of walks to lead off the inning. Back-to-back one-out RBI singles from Meghan Smith and Lindsay Loudermilk each brought home a Mountaineer base runner and gave Appalachian State a 2-0 lead after the first half inning.

Wichita State (2-6) cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom half of the third inning on Hayley Temple's single to center that brought home Kaitlyn Carey from second base.

However, the Mountaineers regained a two-run lead in the top of the fifth on a wild pitch from Katie Armagost that brought home leadoff hitter Dani Heichen from third base ahead of sophomore catcher Megan McCracken's tag attempt.

Armagost, who entered the game after one batter in the second inning and pitching for the second time Friday after throwing a complete game against No. 1 Alabama earlier in the day, kept the Shockers in the game allowing only one earned run in six innings in relief of starter Hunter Stohlmeyer.

Brittany Fortner started a Wichita State rally in the bottom of the sixth with a leadoff double to right center that Erin Carney followed with a single over the head of the Mountaineer shortstop and into left field to put runners at first and third with no outs. After Carney stole second, sophomore Brianne Bond laced a single through the middle of the infield to plate both runners and tie the game, 3-3.

The Mountaineers threatened to take the lead back in the top of the seventh with Kristen Terry advancing to second base on a walk and sacrifice bunt with one out. The next batter followed with a single to shallow left, but freshman Brittany Fortner made her second impact defensive play of the day by scooping the ball and throwing out Terry at third base to end the scoring threat.

Laura Vickers got the Shockers going in the home half of the seventh inning drawing a one-out walk and advancing to second on a passed ball. Megan McCracken followed with another base on balls. Fortner then grounded out to the pitcher advancing both runners into scoring position setting the stage for junior Erin Carney. Carney hit a hard ground ball to the left-hand side of the Appalachian State second baseman, who bobbled the ball and was unable to make a throw to first allowing Vickers to score the winning run from third.

The Shockers and Mountaineers will match up again Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m. (CST) to close out the tournament for each team.

-WICHITA STATE-