HOUSTON – Wichita State scored six runs in the sixth inning to record a 10-1 run-rule victory in game one of the series vs. Houston Thursday night at Cougar Softball Stadium.

Wichita State (22-13, 5-2) received another lights out performance in the circle from freshman Alison Cooper. Cooper allowed just one run on two hits in the complete game win. She registered four strikeouts to improve to 6-2 on the season.

Zoe Jones drove in a team-best three runs and scored twice to go with her 10th home run of the season. Lainee Brown went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI singles and Neleigh Herring singled twice and scored twice. Lauren Lucas recorded a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Addison Barnard recorded her 50th RBI of the season on a two-run double.

In the top of the first Wichita State went to work early. Following singles from Sydney McKinney and Lucas, Jones delivered a three-run shot off the scoreboard in left to give the Shockers a 3-0 lead.

A two-out RBI single from Brown extended the Shockers' lead to 4-0 in the top of the fourth.

Houston broke up the shutout in the bottom of the fourth on a bases loaded RBI fielder's choice, but a double play ended the inning to prevent any further damage.

Wichita State blew the game open with a six-run top of the sixth. The Shockers loaded the bases and Brown came through with her second RBI on a single through the left side. Cassie Passwaters then came off the bench with a pinch-hit sac fly to make it 6-1. Back-to-back two-run doubles from Addison Barnard and Lucas pushed the margin to 10-1.

Up Next
The weekend series between Wichita State and Houston continues Friday night at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.