WICHITA, Kan. – No. 20 Wichita State and Houston battled for four hours before the Shockers claimed an 8-7 win in 11 innings Friday night at Wilkins Stadium.

Wichita State (35-7, 9-1) got a walk-off sacrifice fly from Lauren Lucas with one out in the bottom of the 11th to secure its 11th straight win, and moving them into sole possession of first place. Wichita State moved to 2-0 this season in extra inning games.

After Houston grabbed a 7-6 lead in the top of the 10th, Wichita State was down to its final out when Lainee Brown delivered the game-tying RBI double. The Shockers had a chance to win it right there but Taylor Sedlacek was caught in a rundown and tagged out at home, sending the game to inning No. 11.

A scoreless top of the 11th brought the Shockers to the plate. Krystin Nelson immediately singled to lead things off. After Sydney McKinney grounded into a fielder's choice, Addison Barnard drilled a 1-2 pitch off the wall in left, putting runners on second and third and only one out. Lauren Lucas called game when she hit a deep fly ball into left field foul territory, allowing McKinney to score from third without a play at the plate.

Lucas was 2-for-5 with a triple and four RBI, bringing her season RBI total to 52, tops in the American Athletic Conference. Sydney McKinney scored twice to go with a pair of singles. Camryn Compton was 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI, Krystin Nelson singled twice and Taylor Sedlacek had three hits and an RBI.

Alex Aguilar recorded a no decision in the start. She allowed three runs on eight hits in 4.0 innings. Alison Cooper (11-3) settled in nicely after a tough start out of the bullpen. She threw the final 7.0 innings, while striking out four.

Wichita State broke up a scoreless game in the bottom of the third on a bases clearing triple from Lucas and RBI singles from Compton and Sedlacek.

Aguilar ran into some trouble in the top of the fourth, surrendering hits to the first three hitters. The Cougars would trim the lead to 5-2 on a sac fly and RBI single.

Houston rallied again in the fifth to tie the game at 5-5. The Cougars put three on the board in the top of the fifth on a solo home run, RBI single and wild pitch.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth and down to the final strike in the frame, Compton delivered a solo shot over the wall in left to put the Shockers back in front, 6-5.

The Cougars again had an answer, tying the game at 6 on another sac fly.

Up Next
No. 20 Wichita State and Houston continue the series Saturday afternoon with first pitch at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.