AUBURN, Ala. – Two home runs from freshman outfielder Bailee Nickerson helped the Wichita State softball team earn its first win of the 2018 season, taking down Tennessee Tech 6-4 at Jane B. Moore Field on day two of the Plainsman Invite.

Caitlin Bingham started her first game in the circle as a Shocker, throwing 3.1 innings, allowing only one hit and striking out one Golden Eagle.

From there, another freshman took over. In the top of the fourth Ryleigh Buck and Morgan Palmer both drew two-out walks before Nickerson crushed her first Shocker home run over center field to give Wichita State a 3-0 lead.

Bailey Klitzke took over from Bingham in the bottom of the fourth, inheriting a runner before a walk and bunt loaded the bases. A strikeout looking and a groundout got the Shockers into the fifth in which the Shockers got two on base but couldn't capitalize.

In the top of the sixth Palmer got on base again through an error with Nickerson stepping up again and smashing another over center field to give the Shockers a 5-0 lead.

Tennessee Tech came alive in the bottom half of the inning, a leadoff single and three walks, sandwiched between a swinging and looking strikeout gave the Golden Eagles a run back until a single down the right field line got another two home. A fourth run came on a throwing error to make the score line 5-4. Bailey Lange stepped into the circle with a groundout getting the Shockers out of the inning.

Buck put an insurance run on the board in the seventh, knocking a solo home run over center field to put Wichita State up 6-4. Lange got the final three Golden Eagles out in order to give the Shockers the win and move them to 1-1 on the young season. Klitzke got the win with Lange earning the save.

The Shockers match up against Marshall (R.V.) at 3:00 p.m. today in a rescheduled matchup. The game will be played at Auburn City Park.