WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State banged out 14 runs on 14 hits on the way to a 14-8 win over Butler on Friday evening at Eck Stadium.
Through the first two games of the series, the Shockers have scored 41 runs on 31 hits over just 14 offensive innings.
The Shockers (13-6) used an early barrage on Friday to help fend off a late rally from the Bulldogs (4-14).
Max Kaufer got the scoring started with an RBI double in the bottom of the first against Butler starter Jake Thomas (0-2), then an RBI single from
Nolan Ganter in the second combined with a two-run double from
Alex Ulloa staked Wichita State to a quick 4-0 lead.
After Matthew Rhoades got Butler on the board with a fourth inning solo homer, the Shockers punched back with three more runs in the home half of the inning, all with two outs. Ulloa bounced an RBI single and
Owen Washburn followed with a slicing two-run double to left, ballooning the advantage to 7-1.
Four more WSU runs crossed in the fifth, highlighted by a
Jayson Jones solo homer and run-scoring hits from Ulloa,
Owen Rush and
Jaden Gustafson that gave Wichita State a comfortable 11-1 lead.
Butler did not go quietly, however. The Bulldogs chased Wichita State starter
Brady Hamilton (3-2) in the top of the sixth by loading the bases with nobody out, then cleared them on a three-run double from David Ayers that trimmed the lead to 11-4. Jack Zeller came off the bench to punch an RBI double down the line in left, scoring Ayers and pulling Butler within 11-5. A Shocker throwing error later in the inning scored Zeller, capping a five-run inning that made the score 11-6.
Wichita State restored some order with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning, scoring on a balk and pinch-hit, two-run single from
Jack Quick to push the edge back to 14-6. They would need the breathing room, as Butler scored twice in the eighth but left the bases loaded when
Wyatt Foley induced a fly out to right, then again loaded the bases in the ninth before
Brady Pacha struck out Chris Lewis to end the game.
Ulloa led the Shockers offensively with three hits and four RBI.
Hamilton picked up the win, going 5.0 innings and allowing three hits and four runs.
Ryan Morrison shined out of the Shocker bullpen, retiring all five hitters he faced with three strikeouts.
The Shockers and Bulldogs wrap up the series on Saturday with a doubleheader. First pitch of the first game is scheduled for 1:05 pm CT.
