CLEARWATER, Fla. - Monmouth jumped out to an early six-run lead and would never trail, handing Wichita State a 7-4 defeat in the final game of the USF Spring Invitational Sunday morning.
Asea Webber led the Shockers offensively with two hits in her four at-bats, with
Erin McDonald recording six strikeouts in the circle.
Monmouth struck first in the top of the first inning, scoring the game's first run off a sacrifice fly to center field following a walk and a double. After the runner from second moved to third on a passed ball, another sacrifice fly to center added to the Hawks' lead, making it 2-0.
A solo home run from Deangie Jimenez in the top of the second added to Monmouth's lead and allowed the Hawks to move ahead 3-0. The comeback attempt started with
Sydney McKinney tallying her second career triple in the bottom of the third, scoring off a
Wylie Glover groundout to second base to cut the deficit to two.
The Hawks answered back a half-inning later, coming up with a triple and drawing two walks to load the bases. Lindsey Baron's triple to center field drove in three runs and allowed Monmouth to take a commanding five-run lead.
Following the second triple of the game for the Hawks in the top of the fifth, the Hawks added an insurance run off a single to left center that pushed the lead to 7-1.
Neleigh Herring responded with her third home run of the season, cutting the lead to five with no outs in the bottom of the fifth.
Webber gave the Shockers offensive life in the bottom of the sixth, leading things off with a double to right field.
Ryleigh Buck beat out a throw to shortstop to drive in Webber from third and cutting the deficit to four. The Shockers took advantage of an error by the Monmouth third baseman, allowing another run to score.
Glover reached on an error in the bottom of the seventh, but was thrown out in an attempt to take second base. Monmouth would force a fly out to end the game with the three-run victory.
McDonald had her fourth game of the season with six or more strikeouts.
Wichita State (18-9) returns home for a 10-game homestand, starting with a matchup against Kansas on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Wilkins Stadium. The Shockers start conference play on Friday, opening up play with a three-game series against Houston starting on Friday.
