WICHITA, Kan. – Another multi-home run game from the Shockers powered Wichita State past Charlotte, 9-6, in the series finale Saturday night at Wilkins Stadium.

Wichita State (26-22-1, 13-10-1) finished the series with 10 home runs over the three games, including four from Lauren Lucas. Lucas homered twice Saturday, both two-run home runs, moving her season total to 13. Her previous career high for a season was 10 back in 2022.

Taylor Sedlacek hit her third home run of the series and Jodie Epperson added her second of the weekend. Krystin Nelson walked twice and singled, helping turn the lineup over twice on the night to lead off innings.

Ryley Nihart (9-5) picked up the win, going 4.0 innings, allowing one earned run on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Ava Sliger recorded a three-inning save, the first of her career.

For the third straight game Wichita State grabbed the lead after the first inning. Back-to-back home runs from Lucas and Sedlacek gave the Shockers a 3-0 lead. It marked the second straight game the duo went back-to-back.

Charlotte cut into the lead in the top of the second on an RBI groundout and RBI double to make it a one-run game.

An inning later the Niners evened the score at 3-3 on another productive infield out.

After quiet innings at the plate in the second and third, Wichita State came alive in the bottom of the fourth. Lucas' second two-run home run of the night kickstarted a six-run frame. Sedlacek followed with a walk which led to an RBI double in the right-center gap from Camryn Compton. Two batters later, Epperson laced a two-run shot down the left field line on the first pitch of the at bat. Brookelyn Livanec capped the inning with a triple and came into score on an errant relay throw.

Trailing by six, Charlotte came right back with three runs in the top of the fifth to cut the lead to 9-6.

In the top of the sixth, Charlotte had the tying run at the plate with one out, but Sami Hood turned a 6-3 double play to keep the Niners off the board.

Up Next
Wichita State welcomes Kansas to Wilkins Stadium Wednesday night for its home finale at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.