HUNSTVILLE, Texas – The Wichita State softball team fell to the No. 4/5 Washington Huskies, 8-0, on day one of the Bearkat Classic held at Sam Houston State University.

The Shockers came out swinging early with top of the order Mackenzie Wright singling to second base with Bailey Lange sacrifice bunting to get Wright to second. Madison Perrigan and Paige Luellen both struck out, the first two of 12 strikeouts for Washington pitcher Taran Alvelo, before the Husky bats took over.

A leadoff double against freshman pitcher Caitlin Bingham paved the way despite the Shockers running down a Washington runner who had advanced to third. A two-out two-run home run put the Huskies up early and for good.

A throwing error and two singles added another three in the bottom of the second with the Shocker bats unable to capitalize after loading the bases in the top half of the inning.

In the third, Hailey Martinez took over from Bingham with Washington adding another two on a double after a walk and single got runners on first and second.

Bailey Klitzke took over for the fourth, striking out three through the 1.2 innings she pitched. The Huskies ended the game in the fifth with three singles getting a runner home to make the final scoreline 8-0 and move the Shockers to 2-3 on the year.

Wichita State faces host school Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. for the seventh time in history with the Shockers leading the series 4-2 overall. The teams last faced off in Feb. 2012, Kristi Bredbenner's first season in charge, with Wichita State winning 6-4 for the second victory of the Bredbenner era.