Box Score

AUSTIN, Texas – The Wichita State softball team used a five-run top of the seventh to complete their third-straight come from behind win, winning 6-4 against Texas to move to 5-2 on the season. As the Shockers moved to 5-2, the Longhorns fell to 4-3. With the win, Wichita State is also off to their second-straight 5-2 start under head coach Kristi Bredbenner.

Katie Malone (2-0) pitched the entire game for the Shockers, allowing four runs (all earned), gave up 10 hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

Erica Wright (2-2) took the loss. She pitched six innings and allowed six runs (all earned) on three hits, walking four and striking out eight.

Melanie Jaegers was 1-3 with the go-ahead three-RBI double in the top of the seventh that gave the Shockers the 6-4 win. Holly Kern went 1-4 with two RBI to lead the Longhorns.

The Shockers and Longhorns each had a sacrifice bunt that advanced a runner to second with one out in the top and bottom of the first respectively. As Wichita State struck out swinging and popped out to first to end their first inning, Texas struck out swinging and was caught stealing third to end their half of the first inning.

In the top of the third, Williams hit her first home run of the season, a solo shot, to give the Shockers a 1-0 lead.

Texas had the bases loaded with one out and Lindsay Stephens at the plate during the bottom of the third. Malone's second pitch of the at-bat hit Stephens, allowing the Longhorns to tie the game at one while the bases remained loaded. Malone escaped the jam with a flyout to Williams, and a fielder's choice to Mackenzie Wright to keep the game tied at one through three innings.

Macklin Hitz reached on a fielding error and advanced to second in the top of the fourth inning to give the Shocks a chance at gaining their second lead of the game, but Kelli Spring then struck out to end the inning.

The Longhorns scored two in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3-1 lead when Kern had a two-RBI single, scoring Stephanie Wong and Devon Tunning.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Texas threatened with the bases loaded, and one out with Wong at the plate. A diving catch by Layne Greenlee recorded the second out of the inning, but Wong's sacrifice fly scored Alyssa Angel to give the Longhorns a 4-1 lead after six innings.

Wichita State threatened with the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the seventh with Erin Carney at the plate, pinch hitting for Greenlee. With a full count, Carney was hit by a pitch, earning a RBI and cutting the Texas lead to 4-2. Paige Mason had a pinch-hit walk to close the Longhorn lead to 4-3, still with no outs and the bases loaded.

Jaegers then hit the three-RBI double, scoring Williams, Johnson and Greenlee to clear the bases and put the Shockers on top, 6-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh. Malone shut down the Longhorns after a one-out single to secure the win for the Shockers.

The Shockers will play games three and four of the Texas Classic on Saturday against Texas (4 p.m.) and IPFW (6:30 p.m.) at the Red and Charline McCombs Field. The two games will be broadcasted live on the Longhorn Network/ESPN 3.

-WICHITA STATE-