WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State scored their most runs in a game since 2002, rolling to a 27-3 run-rule victory over Butler on Thursday evening at Eck Stadium.
The 27 runs are the most for the Shockers since a 31-2 win over Howard on April 27, 2002. The school record is 35 runs, set against Kansas Wesleyan in 1987.
Wichita State scored multiple runs in every inning, plating two in the first, three in the second, 11 in the third, two in the fourth, seven in the fifth, and two in the sixth. It is the first time WSU has scored in every inning of a game since April 11, 1999 against Illinois State. The 11 runs match a season high and represent the fourth double-digit run inning for Wichita State in 2026.
Max Kaufer continued his unbelievable start to the 2026 season with two more home runs, giving him 11 through the first 18 games.
Owen Washburn extended his streak of multi-hit games to 10 with a 2-for-4 showing.
The Shockers (12-6) drew 12 walks and three hit by pitches from a parade of six Butler pitchers.
The Bulldogs (4-13) struck first in the top of the first inning on a solo home run from Matthew Rhoades, but the Shockers got two runs back in the bottom of the inning on an
Owen Washburn RBI groundout and a Kaufer solo homer. Butler retook the lead with two runs of their own in the top of the second, inching in front, 3-2. That lead did not last, however, as WSU pushed across three runs in the home half on a
Jaden Gustafson sacrifice fly,
Evan Escobar fielder's choice and
Jayson Jones RBI single for a 5-3 lead.
From there the Shockers poured it on. Wichita State used six walks, four hits, two hit by pitches and an error to score 11 runs in the third, batting around without making an out in the inning. The offensive explosive gave WSU a 16-3 lead.
Kaufer cranked a two-run shot in the fourth that made it 18-3, then the Shockers tacked on seven more runs in the fifth with the help of two Butler errors and a two-run single from Gustafson. The final blow came in the bottom of the sixth when
Nolan Ganter hooked a two-run double to produce the final margin.
Matthew Cuccias (2-0) picked up the win for Wichita State, allowing three runs over 5.0 innings while striking out six.
Ayden Benson flipped two scoreless frames with a pair of strikeouts to close out the victory. Butler starter Grayson Bradberry (0-1) took the loss, conceding six runs in 2.0-plus innings.
The Shockers and Bulldogs continue the series on Friday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 pm CT.
