WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State erased a 5-3 deficit with two runs in the seventh and two runs in the eighth to rally past Missouri State 7-5 on Friday night at Eck Stadium.

It was an unconventional comeback for the Shockers (4-9) as part of a late inning stretch that included several strange plays. With Missouri State leading 5-3 in the seventh, WSU put runners at second and third via consecutive one-out singles and a wild pitch. Josh Livingston then smacked a hard line drive up the middle that was gloved by diving Bears shortstop Tyler Epstein. Epstein's low throw to first was not scooped cleanly, trickling away from first base and allowing both runners to score to tie the game at 5-5.

Another unconventional sequence put Wichita State in front in the eighth. With two on and one out, Mauricio Millan attempted to check his swing on a pitch up and inside but ended up punching a soft line drive into shallow right field that scored Jordan Rogers from second base with what proved to be the winning run. Camden Johnson tacked on a sacrifice fly later in the inning for the final margin.

The last out of the game was perhaps strangest of all. Wichita State closer Nick Potter sandwiched a pair of outs around an infield single, putting the tying run at the plate with two outs in the ninth. Missouri State's Zack Stewart smashed a line drive that hit the baserunner Nick Rodriguez in the leg, ending the game and securing the win for Potter (1-1) and Wichita State.

Garrett Ferguson (0-1) took the loss for the Bears, allowing both of the eighth inning runs.

The Shockers used clutch, two-out hitting to build an early lead, getting a pair of two-out RBI knocks from Kam Durnin and one from Jaden Gustafson on their way to a 3-1 advantage. But the Bears poured in four runs in the fifth to take a 5-3 edge of their own, highlighted by a two-run single from Jake McCutcheon. The lead stayed at 5-3 until the Shockers rally in the seventh.

Both starters finished with no-decisions. Wichita State's Brady Hamilton allowed five runs (four earned) over 4.2 innings, striking out four, while Missouri State's Michael Yusypchuk lasted 4.0 innings and conceded five hits and three runs while fanning four. WSU reliever Aaron Arnold was dominant out of the bullpen, striking out six over three shutout frames.

Millan paced the Shockers offensively with three hits, while Durnin, Livingston and Gustafson recorded two apiece.

The Shockers and Bears continue the series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm CT.