WICHITA, Kan. - After a five-hour rain delay, the Wichita State softball team defeated the Loyola Ramblers in the second game of a three-game series, 8-7, Saturday night at Wilkins Stadium. 

Ashley Johnson scored on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the first for the Shockers, giving them an early 1-0 advantage over the Ramblers.

Jenni Brooks relieved Malone of her duties in the second inning, pitching in her first game since Feb. 14 against the Rutgers.

Loyola put four runs on the board in the top of the second, three of which came on a double up the middle and a Shocker error before scoring on a fly-out to center field on the next play, giving the Ramblers a 4-1 lead.

Wichita State started to chip away at the Loyola lead, scoring two in the bottom of the second inning on two Rambler errors to get within one, 3-4 before lightning struck, causing a five-hour rain delay.

The Shockers picked up where they left off in the second inning, scoring two runs on a single up the middle by Kelli Spring in the bottom of the third, regaining the lead, 5-4.

The Ramblers responded in the top of the fourth with a RBI double to left field, tying the game, 5-5, but the Shockers responded with a three RBI triple by Layne Greenlee in the bottom of the fifth to take an 8-5 lead.

Lauren Moore hit a two-run home run to left field, cutting the Wichita State lead, 8-7, but it wasn't enough as the Shockers took game two from the Ramblers.

Brooks recorded her first win of the season as Malone took the save for the Shockers. Ali Vandever went 1-for-2 from the plate, while Layne Greenlee went 1-for-2 with three RBIs in the victory. 

Wichita State will wrap up the series with Loyola Sun., March 16 with a projected 12 p.m. start. 

-WICHITA STATE-