WACO, Texas — Wichita State opened the 2026 season with a pair of narrow defeats to No. 22/24 Mississippi State (5-2 in 8 innings) and Baylor (3-2) on Friday at Getterman Stadium.
 
The Shockers (0-2) held late leads against both Mississippi State (3-0) and Baylor (2-1) but were unable to close out either contest.
 
No. 22/24 Mississippi State 5, Wichita State 2
 
A pitcher's duel defined the early stages as starter Ryley Nihart held the Bulldogs to one hit through the game's first four innings, but a similar lack of offense from the Shockers kept the game scoreless.
 
In the bottom of the fourth with two outs, Kammie Smith broke the deadlock, shooting a ball through the right side of the infield to drive home Gabby Scott and give Wichita State a 1-0 lead.
 
After a scoreless fifth, the Bulldogs scored their first run of the game on an RBI groundout to tie it at 1-1.
 
Neither side scored in the sixth, but Mississippi State was denied a chance to take the lead when Jodie Epperson threw out a runner at home to preserve the tie. The Shockers were unable to walk it off in the bottom half, sending the game to extra innings.
 
In the eighth, the Bulldogs struck first, scoring the placed runner on a fielder's choice to take a 2-1 lead. Two batters later, Mississippi State hit a three-run home run off Ava Sliger to extend the advantage to 5-1.
 
Needing four runs in the bottom of the eighth, the Shockers showed life as Brookelyn Livanec reached on a pinch-hit single before Epperson drove in the placed runner, Mickayla Tosch, from third to cut the deficit to 5-2.
 
Wichita State loaded the bases with two outs but was unable to score any more runs.

Nihart was saddled with the loss despite tossing a gem in the circle. She threw a career-high 7.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits, one walk and three strikeouts.

Wichita State managed just four total hits at the plate - all singles - with two of them coming from true freshmen.
 
Baylor 3, Wichita State 2
 
The first two innings mirrored the start of the Mississippi State game as Wichita State starter Jade Sanders held the Bears to two hits and no runs.
 
In the top of the third, the Shockers broke through when Kinzey Woody drove in Ausha Moore with an RBI double to open the scoring. One batter later, Gabby Scott lined a ball into left-center to score Woody, giving Wichita State a 2-0 lead.
 
Sanders remained in control for the next three innings, allowing just three total baserunners. The Shockers were unable to add on, taking a 2-0 lead into the seventh.
 
After Wichita State was held scoreless in the top half, Baylor opened the bottom of the seventh with a double that chased Sanders from the game.
 
Facing Gabby Fakes, the Bears put runners on first and third and scored their first run on an RBI groundout to make it 2-1.
 
Baylor then loaded the bases with a single and a walk before drawing another walk to bring home the tying run. With the bases still loaded, the Bears walked it off on a throwing error to secure a 3-2 victory.

Sanders earned a no decision in first Division I collegiate start. She allowed only one run on six hits in 6.0 innings of work.

Moore and Scott combined for four of the team's six hits with two apiece.
 
Up Next
The Shockers face Northwestern State at 2:30 p.m. before a rematch with Baylor at 5 p.m. Saturday at Getterman Stadium.