|  Box Score (PDF)

WICHITA, Kan. – After jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, the Wichita State softball team was unable to hold off Northern Iowa, falling to the Panthers, 7-4 in the third and final game of the series on Sunday afternoon.

Katie Malone got the start in the circle for Wichita State, throwing 3.2 innings and allowing four runs on five hits while striking out two batters. Malone received the loss in the game, making her record 5-5 on the season.

Just like in the first two games of the series, Cacy Williams led the Shockers offensively, collecting one hit on a home run to deep left-center. Williams also scored two of the Shockers four runs on the day.

Wichita State made the most of a two-out error in the first inning, with Brittany Fortner driving in Williams to make the score 1-0 heading into the second inning.

The score remained the same until Williams came to the plate with one out in the bottom of the third inning and hit her sixth home run of the season.

The Panthers responded well in the top of the fourth inning, scoring seven runs on just four hits and taking a commanding 7-2 lead.

After two scoreless frames, the Shockers had three outs to work with and were able to scratch across two runs in the bottom of the seventh but were not able to complete the comeback, losing 7-4.

Wichita State is now 13-11 on the season and 1-2 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Shockers will be in action again on Wednesday night at Wilkins Stadiums, taking on Oklahoma State at 7 p.m.