PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – Wichita State nearly completed an improbable comeback in the nightcap against No. 25 Auburn, but came up short in extra innings, 8-6. The Shockers opened the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge earlier in the day against No. 8 Clemson, falling 7-0.
The Shockers have played extra innings in two of their first four games this season, going 1-1 in those extra frames.
Aside from playing two Top 25 teams, Wichita State faced two All-American pitchers in the circle.
Game 1 vs. #8 Clemson | Clemson 7, Wichita State 0
Addison Barnard,
CC Wong and
Sami Hood all had multi-hit games, but the rest of the offense combined to go 0-for-18 at the plate.
Alison Cooper (0-1) threw a complete game, allowing seven runs on nine hits and two walks.
The reigning National Player of the Year gave Clemson a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-out, solo home run. Wichita State threatened in the home half after back-to-back singles from Barnard and Wong, but Cagle worked out of the jam by striking out the next three Shockers in order.
After a scoreless second inning, Clemson tacked on two more in the top of the third on a two-run double.
The Tigers added a pair of two-run home runs in the fifth and sixth to provide more than enough run support for Cagle.
Game 2 vs. #25 Auburn | Auburn 8, Wichita State 6 (8)
Bailey Urban had a huge game, going 3-for-4 with a grand slam.
Addison Barnard also homered. Wichita State hitters combined for 12 strikeouts, 10 of those coming against the reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year Maddie Penta.
Lauren Howell (0-1) was saddled with the loss in 4.1 innings of relief. She struck out six and allowed only two runs on two hits, but five walks and a hit by pitch proved critical.
Chloe Barber made her first career start, going 2.0 innings.
Alex Aguilar threw 1.2 innings, allowing four runs on no hits, but walked four. The Shockers issued 11 walks in the game, the first time since 2020 allowing 10 or more free passes.
Auburn scratched out a pair of runs in the top of the second on RBI singles. The Shockers would score their first run on Barnard's third home run of the season, a solo shot to dead center.
Walks were the theme of the top of the fourth. Auburn scored four runs despite not recording a single hit in the inning. Sandwiched around a brief rain delay, Aguilar and Howell combined to walk five Tigers and two hit batters.
Neither team would muster any runs in the fifth or sixth, bringing the Shockers to the plate with one final chance, trailing 6-1, in the bottom of the seventh. After singles from
Mila Seaton and
CC Wong and a Sam Hood hit by pitch, the bases were loaded with two outs. On the second pitch of the at bat, Urban promptly delivered a bases clearing bomb to center, making it a one-run game.
Lainee Brown then reached on an error and
Taylor Sedlacek struck out but made it down the line on a dropped third strike. Pinch-running on the play for Brown was
Avery Barnard who advanced to third. Barnard would then score the tying run on another wild pitch, sending the game to extra innings.
Auburn immediately regained the lead on an RBI groundout and RBI single to make it 8-6. The Shockers went down in order in the home half, coming up just short in an incredible comeback against the ranked Tigers.
Up Next
Wichita State continues play at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge on Thursday vs. No. 20 South Carolina at 5 p.m. CT.
