WICHITA, Kan. – No. 23 Wichita State scored seven of its eight runs in the fifth and sixth innings for a comeback win over South Florida, 8-3, Friday night at Wilkins Stadium.

Wichita State (28-7, 3-1) trailed by two runs entering the fifth inning, but won going away behind a huge at bat from Lauren Lucas and three sixth-inning home runs.

Lucas was 2-for-4 with a double, home run and four RBI. She struck out in each of her first two at bats of the game, but when it mattered most the junior came through. Sydney McKinney recorded yet another three-hit game with two singles and a double, while scoring three times.

Zoe Jones had two more hits and an RBI. Addison Barnard and Bailey Urban each homered and Lainee Brown and Sami Hood added a single each.

Alison Cooper (9-3) recorded the win out of the bullpen, throwing 4.0 scoreless and hitless innings of relief. She walked three and struck out two. Lauren Howell made the start, lasting only 3.0 innings. South Florida scored all three of its runs in the second and third innings.

In typical McKinney fashion, the senior led off the bottom of the first with a bunt single and a stolen base. With two outs, McKinney would come home on an RBI single from Jones, who continued her red-hot hitting.

South Florida evened the score at 1-1 in the very next at bat behind a pair of doubles.

A one-out double and a walk turned into a pair of runs on single up the middle in the top of the third for the Bulls.

After three scoreless frames at the plate, Wichita State finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Singles from Brown and McKinney and a walk to Barnard loaded the bases for Lucas with only one out. A 10+ pitch at bat finally resulted in a big bases clearing double to put the Shockers in front, 4-3.

Looking for some insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, the Shockers got just that. With two outs and Urban stepping in for Krystin Nelson to pinch hit, Urban belted a solo home run, her first of the season, to straightaway center. A double from McKinney then paved the way for Barnard's no-doubt two-run home run to make it 7-3. The very next batter, Lucas, drilled a solo shot for back-to-back home runs and the icing on the cake.

Wichita State hit back-to-back home runs for the first time this season.

A walk is all the Bulls got in the top of the seventh, as Cooper slammed the door shut for the win.

Up Next
Wichita State and South Florida continue the series Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.