RUSTON, La. - The Wichita State softball team continues its non-conference stretch in Ruston, La., facing five opponents in three days. The Shockers start with Southeast Missouri State and Abilene Christian on Friday, beginning the doubleheader at 10 a.m. CST.Â
SERIES HISTORY VS. TOURNAMENT
The Shockers are 1-4 against the tournament field, having won the last meeting vs. Louisiana Tech. Wichita State has never played Southeast Missouri State, Abilene Christian, and Fairleigh Dickinson in softball.
Southeast Missouri State- First Meeting
Abilene Christian- First Meeting
Louisiana Tech - 1-3
Mississippi Valley State - 0-1
Fairleigh Dickinson - First Meeting
COMING HOME
This weekend is a homecoming for sophomore pitcher
Erin McDonald, who played at Louisiana Tech last season. McDonald posted a 3-0 mark as a Lady Techster, posting an ERA of 1.84.
DON'T COUNT US OUTWhen the Shockers have been down to their last out, the party has just gotten started for them at the plate. Wichita State has scored 10 of their 19 runs with two outs, hitting two of their three home runs during that stretch.Â
GETTING 'EM AROUND
Senior
Laurie Derrico needs eight home runs to move into first place in the Shocker record books. Currently in fourth with 32, if Derrico reaches 40 she will overtake Cacy Williams who played at Wichita State from 2014-16. Derrico has reached double figures in home runs in the previous two seasons.Â
LARGER ROLEÂ
Neleigh Herring has stepped into bigger shoes so far this season, collecting more hits and more RBI in the first five games of the year than the entire 2018 season. Herring snagged her first career home run in the season opener against Central Michigan, driving in four runs total to give the Shockers the win, 6-2.Â
STACKED SCHEDULE
The Shockers face off against 12 teams that reached the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Wichita State plays 10 of these games at home, starting the stretch with Prairie View A&M on Feb. 24 in Arlington, Texas.Â
DOUBLE DUTY
Wichita State's returning pitchers not only get the job done in the circle, but transfer that success in the batter's box. The Shocker pitching staff combined for 224 at-bats in 2018, combining for 51 hits.Â
UP NEXT
Wichita State travels to Arlington, Texas for the Maverick Invitational where they will see UT-Arlington, Abilene Christian and Prairie View A&M over a three-day span (Feb. 22-24).
