WICHITA, Kan. - Freshman Mackenzie Rooney clinched the series over Florida Atlantic with her walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth, lifting the Shockers to a 10-8 win Saturday night at Wilkins Stadium.

Wichita State (18-10, 6-2) led by five entering the top of the seventh only to see the Owls rally for five runs to force extra innings. The win extended Wichita State's win streak to seven in a row, and gives the Shockers their first-ever series win over Florida Atlantic.

The Shockers pounded out 14 hits, including a career-high four hits for freshman Kinzey Woody. Woody was a perfect 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. She is 7-for-7 over the first two games of the series. Ausha Moore was 3-for-4 with two home runs, two RBIs and three runs scored.

Johnna Schroeder was 2-for-5 with a double and three RBIs. Kammie Smith had a pair of hits, including a double and an RBI and Gabby Scott scored twice to go with two singles. 

The hero, Rooney, was 0-for-3 on the day until she smoked the game-winning, two-run home run down the right field line.

Ava Sliger earned a no decision in 6.0 innings. After the three-run home run in the first inning, Sliger was superb until the seventh. Jade Sanders (3-3) recorded the win in 3.0 innings of relief. She allowed one run on three hits, two walks and three strikeouts.

Florida Atlantic jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first just three batters in. Home runs from Moore and Woody in the bottom of the first cut the deficit to 3-2.

Moore's second homer of the day came in the bottom of the third to tie the game at 3-3. Three batters later, Smith put the Shockers in front with an RBI double.

Wichita State broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth, scoring four runs on a Woody RBI single and a bases clearing double from Schroeder.

Scoreless frames in the fifth and sixth sent the game to the seventh, just three outs from a win. The Owls had other plans. A leadoff pinch-hit home run and double kickstarted the rally. The Owls scored four runs before Wichita State recorded an out. The game-tying run crossed the plate with one out on an infield single to tie the game at 8-8.

After a scoreless eighth, Sanders stranded the bases loaded in the top of the ninth to bring the Shockers back to the plate. Schroeder led off with a single, followed by a Jodie Epperson flyout and a Chloe Rhine groundout. With two outs, Rooney stepped in and recorded the biggest hit of her young career.

Up Next
Wichita State and Florida Atlantic close the series Sunday at Noon on ESPN+.