WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State used two big innings and another quality start from Caden Favors to cruise past Rice 10-3 on Friday afternoon at Eck Stadium.

The Shockers (17-9, 4-1) clinched their sixth series win and have now won four consecutive conference games after dropping the AAC opener.

The difference in the game was two crooked numbers, a four-spot in the bottom of the third and a three-run bottom of the seventh. The four-run third broke open a 1-1 tie; Kam Durnin doubled home Lane Haworth, who had doubled himself, and later in the inning Jaden Gustafson doubled home two more with a two-out, two-bagger. Mauricio Millan capped the inning with a run-scoring single that made it 5-1. The two teams traded single runs to make the score 6-2 heading to the seventh, when WSU put the game away with three more runs. Gustafson capped off his 4-for-4 day with another RBI single then scored on a Millan RBI double. Ryan Callahan swelled the lead to 9-2 with a deep sacrifice fly to left.

Favors (5-1) bounced back from a rocky third inning in which he committed two errors on Rice bunts to produce another solid start. The senior southpaw covered seven innings, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out eight. Favors managed to limit the damage in the third inning, escaping a bases-loaded, nobody-out jam with a double play grounder that erased the two lead runners and another fielder's choice grounder that ended the inning. He then held Rice off the board in the fourth, fifth, and sixth frames.

Dayvin Johnson put the Shockers in double-digits with a towering solo homer in the eighth, and WSU reliever Caleb Anderson closed out the win by recording the final six outs, including three strikeouts in the ninth.

Rice starter Parker Smith (2-3) took the loss, allowing seven hits and six runs over six innings of work.

Gustafson's four hits led the Shockers offensively, while Millan and Jordan Rogers chipped in with two hits apiece.

The Shockers and Owls conclude the series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch from Eck Stadium is scheduled for 12:00 pm.