CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Wichita State defeated Northern Iowa, 9-5, in the opening game of the Niner Invitational, but dropped its afternoon matchup vs. Charlotte, 10-7.

Game 1 vs. UNI

Addison Barnard and Bailey Urban provided the scoring punch as they each homered in the contest. Barnard belted the first grand slam of the season and Urban added a three-run shot later in the contest.

Kenzie Schopfer started in the circle but went only 3.0 innings. She allowed three runs on three hits and two walks. Caitlin Bingham finished the game out of the bullpen and recorded the win to move to 2-1 on the season. Bingham allowed two runs on two hits in 4.0 innings, while striking out two.

The Panthers scored first via the long ball in the top of the second. A two-run home run from Brooke Snider gave UNI an early 2-0 lead.

Wichita State immediately responded with a six-run home half of the second. The inning started with a Zoe Jones leadoff walk, followed by a Lauren Mills double. A throwing error on the pitcher brought home both Jones and Mills to tie the game at 2-2. After a Jessica Garcia single and Lauren Lucas walk, the bases were full of Shockers for Barnard. Barnard promptly unloaded the bases with her team-leading sixth home run of the season and first grand slam.

UNI got a run back in the third on a wild pitch. The Panthers inch closer in the top of the fifth on a two-out, two-run home run to make it a 6-5 game.

On the heels of an Urban three-run blast to straightaway center, Wichita State pushed the margin back to four in the bottom of the fifth.

Game 2 vs. Charlotte

Zoe Jones and Cassie Passwaters both finished the contest with three hits, but it was Passwaters who had a career day. The December enrollee went 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBI. Four of those coming on a grand slam.

Erin McDonald fell to 1-2 in the circle. She allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks. Alison Cooper came in with the game tied and a runner on first, belonging to McDonald, and couldn't record an out. Cooper faced four batters and allowed four hits and four runs. Jordyn Pipkin finished the inning, allowing a hit.

After two full scoreless innings, Charlotte finally broke into the scoring column on a solo home run in the bottom of the third. They would tack on three more on a double in the right-center gap.

Wichita State didn't waste any time bringing the tying runs to the plate in the very next at bat. The first three batters reached via single, error and walk to load the bases for Cassie Passwaters. The freshman delivered with a grand slam to center to tie the game at 4-4, marking her first collegiate home run.

Charlotte regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single, but it would be short-lived. Wichita State came right back with a run in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 5-5.

With the game tied at 5 in the bottom of the sixth, Charlotte broke it open with a five-run inning. Wichita State had one last chance in the seven, but could only bring two runs across to make it 10-7.

Up Next
Wichita State is back on the field for two more games tomorrow vs. Minnesota and Charlotte at 11:30 a.m. CT and 4:30 p.m. CT.