RUSTON, La. – The Wichita State softball team opened up the 2014 season with a 6-3 win over Jackson State Friday in the Lady Techster Invitational. Senior Sloan Anderson got the win for the Shockers, striking out six and giving up three runs in the victory.

The Shockers got on the board first with a RBI triple to center field by Cacy Williams in the bottom of the first inning to put Wichita State ahead, 1-0.

Jackson State had the bases loaded in the top of the third with no outs before Sloan Anderson threw a wild pitch to score one. Laura Aikens then hit a two RBI double to right center to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead.

Macklin Hitz hit a line drive to right field and Paige Luellen hit a line drive to left field right after to get two runners on base but the Jackson State defense held Wichita State scoreless in the bottom of the fourth.

Anderson got the support she needed from the Shocker offense in the bottom of the fifth. Brittany Fortner reached on a fielder's choice, stealing second shortly after to set up a RBI double by Liz Broyles. Williams singled up the middle to advance Broyles to third before Hitz hit a RBI double to tie the game, 3-3. Luellen hit a RBI single up the middle, advancing to second on the throw to home before scoring on a Tiger error, giving the Shockers a 6-3 advantage.

The Shocker defense kept the Tigers at bay in the top of the seventh, winning the first game of the Lady Techster Invitational over Jackson State, 6-3. Despite the cold weather and the continuing sleet and snow mixture, head coach Kristi Bredbenner thought the team played especially tough.

"I think the game faced quite a bit of adversity – having different game times, the cold weather, the sleet – but I never really felt like they gave up or had negative attitudes," coach Bredbenner said. "I thought the team played really tough and we finally got some hits together in the fifth inning to make it happen and make it work to get the win."

Wichita State will take on UT-Martin Sat., Feb. 8 at 1:30 p.m. and will turn right around and play tournament host Louisiana Tech at 3:45 p.m.

-WICHITA STATE-