Box Score

WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State used seven shutout innings from A.J. Ladwig to defeat Missouri State 5-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.

Ladwig allowed seven hits with no walks and six strikeouts to improve to 2-2 on the year. Reliever Drew Palmer picked up his first save with two shutout innings.

Chase Simpson went 3-for-3 with two runs, three RBI, a double and a home run to lead the Shockers.

The Shockers jumped on the board in the fourth inning. Casey Gillaspie singled with one out and after Garrett Bayliff reached on a fielder's choice, he stole second and scored on a home run to right field by Simpson for a 2-0 lead.

WSU added on a run in the seventh. Micah Green was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a single to left field from Erik Harbutz. Both moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Joe Haddox and Green scored on a groundout from Dayne Parker for a 3-0 lead.

Bayliff led off the eighth with a single to right field and scored on a double down the right field line by Simpson to increase the lead to 4-0. The Shockers added another run after a Bear error to put the Shocks up 5-0.

The Shockers and Bears play game two of the series on Sat., March 22 at 2 p.m.

-Wichita State-