HOUSTON, Texas – For just the second time since 1993, the Shockers begin the season 4-0 after defeating UC Santa Barbara and Houston by scores of 7-3 and 5-2 on Saturday in Houston, Texas.
 
Mackenzie Wright collected four hits in six at bats on the day and also drove in two runs for the Shockers. Macklin Hitz also had a good day, collecting three hits and also driving in two runs.
 
Bailey Klitzke got her first start of her collegiate career in game one, throwing 5.1 innings, not allowing a baserunner until a bunt single in the fourth inning.
 
The Shockers got off to a quick start, as Laurie Derrico scored on a passed ball to make the score 1-0.
 
In the second inning, the Shockers stayed hot, scoring five runs on four hits, including a three-run home run from Paige Luellen to push the lead to 6-0.
 
After a single to right field, Whitney Pemberton hit a two-run home run for the Gauchos to cut the lead to four, 6-2.
 
The Gauchos added another run in the bottom of the sixth on a bases loaded walk, but Macklin Hitz hit a solo home run to push the lead back to four, giving Wichita State the 7-3 victory in game one.
 
Katie Malone started game two for the Shockers, throwing all seven innings for the second time this weekend and not allowing one earned run.
 
Hitz started the scoring in game two, crushing a home run over the left field wall with two outs. The Shockers take an early 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the first.
 
Again in the second, Derrico singled to center and later came around to score on a single to right field by Wright to make the score 2-0.
 
Freshman Ryleigh Buck collected her first hit of her career in the fourth inning, driving in a run to extend the Shocker lead to 3-0.
 
An error by the Shockers extended the fourth inning for the Cougars, allowing them to score two runs and cut the lead to 3-2.
 
With two outs and runners on second and third, Perrigan singled into right field to score two runs and push the lead back to three runs, 5-2.
 
Wichita State was able to complete the two game sweep, with a 5-2 win over Houston.
 
The Shockers are now 4-0 and will be in action again next weekend in Tempe, Ariz., for another tournament hosted by Arizona State University. First game will be at 11:45 a.m., on Friday.

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