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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Willie Schwanke threw seven strong innings to lead Wichita State to a 6-5 win in the Missouri Valley Conference opener at Evansville.

Schwanke went seven innings and allowed one run on six hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

Trey Vickers went 2-for-3 with a RBI, while Mikel Mucha drove in two.

The Shockers wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first. Mikel Mucha and Tanner Kirk both walked and stole second and third. With one out, Ryan Tinkham walked to load the bases and Mucha scored on Gunnar Troutwine's infield single to put WSU up 1-0. Chase Rader followed with a sacrifice fly to score Kirk and increase the lead to 2-0.

Trey Vickers led off the second with a single up the middle and moved to third on an Evansville error and sacrifice bunt by Travis Young. Vickers scored on a Mucha's sacrifice fly to put the Shocks up 3-0.

The Purple Aces answered in the bottom of the second. Jonathan Ramon led off with a double and moved to third on a ground ball. He scored on Jeff Christen's fielder's choice to cut the Shocker lead to 3-1.

Dayton Dugas was hit by a pitch to lead off the fourth and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Vickers. An infield single from Travis Young moved Dugas to third and he scored on a fielder's choice by Mucha to make the score 4-1.

Dugas led off with a triple in the sixth and scored on a single from Vickers. Young sacrificed Vickers to second and he scored on an Evansville error for a 6-1 Shocker lead.

The Aces stormed back in the bottom of the eighth. Ramon's three-run home run pulled UE to within 6-4 and Josh Jyawook scored on a fielder's choice to cut the lead to 6-5.

The Shockers and Aces play game two of the series on Sat., April 9 at 2 p.m.