CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Wichita State softball team snapped its three-game losing streak on Sunday, defeating Pitt 7-2 on the final day of the Cougar Classic.
Caitlin Bingham led the Shockers in the pitcher's circle, striking out a career-high 10 batters and only allowed three hits. Bingham's performance was the fourth time in the last three seasons that a Shocker pitcher obtained double-digit strikeouts.
After a single by
Asea Webber, she came up with a two-out stolen base to put herself in scoring position. Webber became the game's first run, as the Shockers took the early lead off a Pitt fielding error in the top of the first inning.
Following two strikeouts by Bingham, Pitt took the lead thanks to a two-run home run to right field by Brie Horrell in the bottom of the first.
Laurie Derrico responded with a leadoff single up the middle the next inning, with
Neleigh Herring reaching first after getting hit by pitch.
The Shockers tied the score after getting runners on second and third, reaching home off a Pitt error. Wichita State managed to get the bases loaded, but Pitt forced a flyout to right field to keep the score tied.
Once
Wylie Glover drew a walk in the top of the fourth,
Madison Perrigan took care of the rest. The Mustang, Okla., native knocked her first home run out of the park, giving the Shockers a 4-2 lead.
While the Shockers got it done offensively, Bingham protected the Wichita State lead. The Tecumseh, Okla., native obtained all three outs in the bottom of the fourth with strikeouts, obtaining her ninth strikeout of the game.
Following a one-out single by
Lauren Mills, Derrico and Herring answered with two consecutive singles to load the bases.
Bailey Lange obtained her first hit of the season, driving in three runs off a right field double that extended the Shockers' lead by five.
Derrico and Mills finished tying for the team-lead in hits with two each in three plate appearances. Herring and Perrigan led things on the defensive side, each obtaining nine putouts.
Wichita State (2-3) travels to Ruston, La for the LA Tech Invitational, facing five opponents in three days. The Shockers will play Southeast Missouri State first on Friday at 10 a.m.
