WICHITA, Kan.- After a thriller non-conference game against Kansas on Wednesday, the Wichita State softball team begins conference play with a three-game series against Houston. 


SCOUTING HOUSTON
As the top team in the American Athletic Conference, Houston comes into Wichita riding on a four-game winning streak and two wins over Baylor (receiving votes) on Tuesday.  The Cougars rely heavily on their high-powered offense to go with their shut down pitching, leading them to 21 early victories. Lindsey Stewart leads the Cougars at the plate with a .414 batting average and driving in 23 runs while Arielle James has collected nine doubles in addition to hitting over .350. In the circle, the Cougars have an ERA of 1.48 as a staff. Savannah Heebner is Houston's ace, coming up with 67 strikeouts while obtaining an ERA of 1.37.


LAST MEETING
Looking to claim the season series, Houston jumped out to an early six-run lead on April 15, 2018. The Shockers tried to climb back with two home runs and an RBI, but the deficit was ultimately too much to overcome and Wichita State dropped its first series to Houston since joining the American Athletic Conference.


POWERFUL MINDS GREEN GAME
Wichita State will host its annual green game on Sunday to support the American Athletic Conference's "Pow6rful Minds" campaign. Shocker players will wear green stickers on their helmets and the coaching staff will wear green ribbons to create awareness to mental health issues and the resources available for student-athletes. The conference's campaign goal has been to end the stigma related to seeking help and promoting academic and personal success through a healthy, powerful mind.


DON'T COUNT US OUT
When the Shockers have been down to their last out, the party has just gotten started for them at the plate. Wichita State has scored 54 runs with two outs, hitting 10 out of 20 of its home runs during that stretch.


GETTING 'EM AROUND
Senior Laurie Derrico needs four home runs to move into first place in the Shocker record books. Currently in second with 36, 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.


PITCHING PRESCENCE
The Shockers' strong start in non-conference is largely due to strong pitching performances in the circle. Bailey Lange and Erin McDonald pitched shutouts in their starts in Louisiana, with the Shockers only giving up a combined nine runs through that five-game stretch. Caitlin Bingham earned the first conference honor roll this season for the Shockers while McDonald was named American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week in week two after combining for 11 strikeouts. Bingham earned her third honor roll of the season, only giving up one earned run in the UT-Arlington Classic while McDonald earned her second honor roll honor.


LATE INNING MAGIC
The Shockers have put its best forward when the game is on the line, dominating its opponents in the last three innings. Wichita State has outscored its opponents 64-24 in the final three innings, including a domination in the sixth inning (35-6).


STARTING THINGS OFF
Wichita State's offense relies heavily on leadoff hitter, Wylie Glover. Batting mostly first in the order, the Marshall transfer is third on the Shockers in batting average with a .338 mark and has came up with 24 hits. Glover came up with her first home run against Fairleigh Dickinson on Feb. 17.


LAYING DOWN THE BUNTS
In addition to making an impact at the plate for Wichita State, Wylie Glover has managed to get on first base off the bunt. Glover is 8-for-11 when bunting with one sacrifice bunt, hitting .727 during that stretch.


MAKING THINGS DIFFICULT
The Shockers have benefited from the pitching presence of Erin McDonald. In addition to leading the charge to the first no-hitter since 2014 on Sunday, the Norman, Okla., native has made life miserable for opposing offenses. McDonald has forced her opponents to hit .177 so far, ranking fourth-lowest in the AAC. She has also come in the clutch in late innings, co-leading the league in saves with three.


WHAT'S UP WITH THE CLEANUP SPOT?
Wichita State's no. 4 batter has had the most production out of any of the batting order spots. Out of the five players that have started in those spots, four of them have hit .333 or better. Lauren Mills leads that batting average with a .500 mark while Neleigh Herring hit .444 in that spot.


IT TAKES SACRIFICE
The Shockers' unselfish play has resulted in its early season success. Laurie Derrico leads the American Athletic Conference in sacrifice bunts while Neleigh Herring co-leads the conference in sacrifice flies.


OFFENSIVE POWER
The Shockers are leading the American Athletic Conference in several offensive categories, including batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Wichita State also holds a commanding lead in home runs and total bases amonst its conference foes.