|  Box Score (PDF)

WICHITA, Kan. – After scoring all nine runs in the first four innings, the Wichita State softball team defeated Western Illinois, 9-4, on Tuesday afternoon.

The Shockers collected 10 hits in the game while holding the Leathernecks to just eight hits. Wichita State was also able to draw eight walks on the day while the Western Illinois had zero.

Katie Malone got the start in the circle for the Shockers, throwing 4.0 innings and only allowing seven hits and four runs, two of which were earned. Malone received the win to make her record 4-4 overall. Jenni Brooks entered the game in the fifth and threw three innings of one-hit softball to receive her first save of the season.

Paige Luellen led the way for the Shockers, going 3-for-3 at the plate and drawing one walk. Luellen also drove in one run for Wichita State and scored three runs. After reaching base in the first inning, Luellen pushed her on-base streak to 26 games, dating back to 2014.

Luellen got things going in the first inning with a single to centerfield and advanced to second on an error by the centerfielder. Cacy Williams drove the run in on a single to give the Shockers an early 1-0 lead.

In the top of the second inning, the Leathernecks scored two runs to take their first and only lead of the game, 2-1.

Wichita State responded in the bottom half of the inning with Macklin Hitz coming around to score after leading off the inning with a walk.

The Shockers added three runs in the bottom of the third with Kelli Spring, Luellen and Hitz coming around to score.

Western Illinois tried to rally in the fourth inning, scoring two runs in the inning to make the Shocker lead, 5-4, but the Shockers responded in the bottom of the fourth, scoring four runs and putting the game out of reach and giving the Shockers a 9-4 victory.

Wichita State is now 12-9 overall and begins conference play this weekend as the Shockers host Northern Iowa in a double-header at 12 p.m. on Saturday and a single game on Sunday at 12 p.m.