ARLINGTON, Texas - Battling its way through a two-run lead most of the game, the Wichita State softball team edged out UT-Arlington 3-1 on Saturday night. The Shockers claimed its third doubleheader sweep of the season and won its eighth consecutive game.
Madison Perrigan led the Shockers offensively, going 2-for-3 at the plate and driving in all three of Wichita State's runs.
Caitlin Bingham pitched her fourth complete game, coming up with three strikeouts while only allowing five hits in her sixth win of the season.
The Shockers once again managed to set the tone offensively, with
Sydney McKinney recording a leadoff single and
Lauren Mills drawing a walk. Perrigan followed up with a home run to left field, giving Wichita State an early three-run lead.
UTA responded in the bottom of the second inning, collecting a double to right center and later scoring off an RBI single to cut the Shocker lead, 3-1. Following a sacrifice bunt that put Maverick runners on second and third, Bingham forced a groundout to third base and collected a strikeout to strand the runners and protect the two-run lead.
The Mavericks tried to create some life in the bottom of the fifth, coming up with a one-out double to left center to put the tying run at the plate. Bingham kept the lead in check, forcing two groundouts to short to keep the Shocker lead at two runs.
Looking to cut the deficit with limited innings remaining, UTA managed to collect a single that once again put the tying run at the plate. After forcing a flyout to center field, Bingham struck out her third batter of the game and keeping the Shockers in front.
Wylie Glover looked to add an insurance run with a single, but the Mavericks retired the side heading into the bottom of the seventh. UTA opened up the final half-inning with a single to left field, but the Shockers came up with two consecutive fielder's choice putouts.
Following a walk, Bingham forced another groundout to herself to end the game.
Bailee Nickerson extended her hitting streak to six games, coming up with a single in the top of the fourth inning.
Wichita State (9-3) wraps up the Maverick Invitational with another doubleheader on Sunday, facing Abilene Christian and Prairie View A&M starting at 9 a.m.
