PHOENIX – Wichita State finished a perfect 5-0 at the GCU Invitational with a 9-1 win in five innings over the Colgate Raiders on Sunday morning at GCU Softball Stadium.
 
With the win, the Shockers are off to their first 5-0 start since 1994.

It didn't take long for the Shockers to strike as Jodie Epperson hit a double in the right-center field gap to drive in Ellee Eck all the way from first. Epperson later came in to score on a dropped pop-up by the Colgate left fielder, allowing Taylor Sedlacek to get on base. Soon after, Caroline Tallent hit her first home run of the season, a two-run shot to center field to make the Shocker lead 4-0 in the first inning. 
 
Colgate responded in their half of the inning, scratching a run across against Shocker starter, Ryley Nihart, but the freshman was able to limit the damage to just one run. 
 
In the second, a big inning loomed for WSU after a pair of walks and an error allowed the Shockers to load the bases, but the bats were unable to capitalize, leaving the bases juiced. In the bottom half, Nihart escaped some trouble to hang a zero in the inning.
 
The third inning was all Shockers as they hung five runs on the Raiders in the top half of the inning. Brookelyn Livanec followed a Sami Hood double with one of her own to score first in the inning. Livanec came in shortly after on an RBI single from Catelyn Beckerley to make a 6-1 Shocker lead. Later, Lauren Lucas added on to her strong week with an RBI single in the inning, Epperson capitalized on a Raider error to reach home, and Sedlacek brought Lucas home to wrap up the half-inning with WSU ahead, 9-1.
 
In the bottom half, Colgate threatened to cut into the lead, but Krystin Nelson pulled off a fantastic double play, catching an infield popup and doubling off a runner at second to end the inning.
 
Pitching controlled the rest of the game as neither side scored again, and the Shockers earned the 9-1 victory in run-rule fashion. 
 
Livanec went a perfect 3-for-3 on the day, adding an RBI. Alex Aguilar earned the win in relief, tossing a scoreless inning, allowing just one hit. Chloe Barber dealt two scoreless innings.
 
Next Up
The Shockers travel to Clearwater, Fla., to battle in the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational February, 13-15.