WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State and ECU split the Saturday doubleheader with the Shockers taking the first game, 7-4, only to see the Pirates come back to score seven runs in the top of the seventh to complete a comeback in the nightcap, 8-4.

Wichita State (19-5, 2-1) gave up a three-run lead in the seventh inning, the first time the Shockers have blown a lead going into the final inning.

In game one, Erin McDonald recorded her seventh win behind a season-high tying 10 strikeouts. McDonald went the distance, allowing four runs on seven hits.

Neleigh Herring went 2-for-3 with two RBI and Kaylee Huecker homered for the second time this season, while going 2-for-3. Sydney McKinney added two hits and an RBI and Ryleigh Buck drove in two on a double.

For the second straight game Wichita State put up a four-spot in the first inning. Herring drove in a pair of runs on a bases loaded single through the right side. The very next batter, Buck, laced a double down the third base line to score two more.

ECU cut the lead in half in the third on a two-run home run by Logyn Estes. Huecker's solo shot in the fourth made it a 5-2 game. The Pirates came right back with another two-run home run in the top of the fifth to cut the lead to 5-4.

The Shockers proceeded to get those two runs back in the home half via back-to-back bases loaded walks from Jessica Garcia and McKinney.

Caitlin Bingham pitched 6.0 solid innings until things started to unravel in the seventh. Bingham struck out a season-high six batters, while walking four and allowing eight hits. She allowed three runs, but only one was earned. Bailey Lange came in with two runners on and no outs, but gave up five runs on three hits, a walk and a hit by pitch.

Addison Barnard opened the scoring in the bottom of the third on her 10th home run of the season, a solo shot to center. A solo homer for ECU tied it at 1-1 in the fifth, but Wichita State came right back with three runs in the bottom half. Huecker led off the inning with a double and Lauren Lucas reached on a fielder's choice. After Lucas stole second, McKinney drove in a run on a single.

Barnard then came through again with a two-run single to put the Shockers in front 4-1.

They would take that three-run lead into the final inning, but ECU scored seven, none bigger than the go-ahead grand slam to make it 7-4 ECU. The Pirates tacked on one more on a wild pitch.

Up Next
Wichita State wraps up the series with ECU tomorrow at noon.