ORLANDO – UCF scored all three of its runs in the first two innings, and it proved to be enough to take down No. 22 Wichita State, 3-1, Friday night.

Wichita State (24-7, 0-1) scored its only run in the first inning on Addison Barnard's solo home run, but could never put anything together at the plate the rest of the night.

The Shockers managed just four hits on the night from four different players. Barnard, Zoe Jones, Lauren Lucas and Sami Hood all had a hit apiece. Sydney McKinney was held hitless for just the second time this season.

Alison Cooper (8-3) was ineffective in the circle, lasting only 1.2 innings. She allowed all three runs on five hits and two walks. Alex Aguilar was solid in relief, giving up just four hits in 4.1 innings of relief.

Barnard jumped on a 2-2 pitch in the top of the first to give Wichita State an early 1-0 lead on her seventh home run of the season. But the bats would be mostly silent the rest of the way.

Wichita State would not hold on to that lead for long, as UCF responded with two runs in the home half on three straight hits. The Knights added another run in the second to go up, 3-1.

The Shockers' threatened in the sixth behind a Lucas double and Lauren Mills reaching on an error to keep the inning alive, but a pop-up stranded runners on the corners.

Up Next
Wichita State and UCF continue the series Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN+.