WICHITA, Kan. - Looking for its first top 25 win of the season, the Wichita State softball team has another opportunity with No. 21 Oklahoma State visiting Wilkins Stadium on Wednesday. 

SCOUTING OKLAHOMA STATE
Oklahoma State jumped out to a 2-1 start in Big 12 play after coming up with two wins at Baylor last weekend. The Cowgirls combined for 30 runs in both of their wins, resulting in two run rule victories in five innings. This will be the second time that Cowgirls face the Shockers this season and the sixth time in the last two years, with the Shockers winning four of the previous five matchups. Chyenne Factor leads the Cowgirls offensively, hitting over .400 while driving in 21 runs. Madi Sue Montgomery also provides some power at the plate, already collecting 10 doubles while coming up with 30 RBIs. Taylor Lynch also provides some steady offense, hitting .333 on the year. Oklahoma State's circle has not allowed teams to jump ahead on the scoreboard, having a team ERA of 2.75. Samantha Show leads the Cowgirls in the circle, having a 2.19 ERA while striking out 64 batters.

LAST MEETING
Heading into Stillwater with a five-game winning streak, the Shockers struggled to gain some offense on March 6. Despite outhitting the Cowgirls 6-4, Oklahoma State's pitching staff combined for seven strikeouts and held the Shockers to no runs. The Cowgirls scored off two home runs and an RBI single to come up with a 3-0 win in the first matchup.

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.

HITTING THE CENTURY MARK
Senior outfielder Asea Webber eyes her 100th career start on Wednesday. Ironically, it is against her former team. After transferring from Oklahoma State following her freshman season, Webber made an impact for the Shockers in center field. She recently came up with a career high of four hits against Kansas and is hitting .318 with three home runs this season.

FRIENDLY COMPETITION
As leaders of Wichita State's all-time slugging percentage list, Madison Perrigan and Laurie Derrico have been competing for the top spot. Perrigan recently passed Derrico for the third-highest slugging percentage in program history this weekend, now having a mark of .582. Cacy Williams (2014-16) leads the pack with a .637 career slugging percentage.

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 65-34 in the final three innings, including a domination in the sixth inning (35-8).

BUCK BOMBS
Ryleigh Buck has provided an offensive spark for the Shockers in the previous four games, hitting .667 with eight hits. Buck has come up with at least two hits in three of the last four games, driving in five RBIs in the process. The Wellington, Kan., native came up with her second career American Athletic Conference honor roll this week and is currently on a six-game hitting streak.

GETTING THE BASES
Madison Perrigan has made it her mission to get on base under any circumstance. She currently leads the American Athletic Conference in total bases with 61 and the most walks drawn with 26. Having an on-base percentage of .496 this season, Perrigan also co-leads the conference in home runs with six.

TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE
Double plays have been key to Wichita State's defensive success, turning 14 in 2019. Laurie Derrico and Ryleigh Buck lead the American Athletic Conference in double plays with 10, with Kaylee Huecker not far behind. Huecker is third in the conference with eight this season.

FEEDING OFF THE FANS
Having a 5-2 start to the season at home, it's clear the Shockers have fed off the fan support at Wilkins Stadium. The Shockers have not had an attendance mark below 300 this season, averaging an attendance of 376.14 through the first seven home games.

COMING UP WITH THE K'S
Caitlin Bingham and Erin McDonald have been lights out for the Shockers in the circle. Not only have they done their job of forcing the outs, but they have taken matters into their own hands. Bingham is averaging 5.9 strikeouts per appearance this season while McDonald is averaging almost five strikeouts per outing Bingham also leads the pitching staff with an average of 11 ground balls per appearance.