TAMPA, Fla. — Wichita State was unable to match a late offensive surge by South Florida in a 6-3 loss to the Bulls on Sunday at USF Softball Stadium.
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The Shockers (19-13, 7-5) dropped the series to South Florida (27-11, 9-3) with the defeat after taking the series opener Friday night. It marks Wichita State's first American Conference series loss since opening conference play at East Carolina.
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After the Wichita State offense struggled mightily Saturday,
Trinity Allen started Game 3 with a bang, hitting a solo home run over the right-field fence to give the Shockers an early lead.
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In the bottom of the second, South Florida evened the game with an RBI single and took the lead on a two-run triple to go up 3-1.
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Stepping to the plate in the top of the third, Allen delivered again, lifting another solo home run over the right-field fence to cut the deficit to 3-2.
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One inning later,
Kinzey Woody tied the game with a no-doubt solo home run to left field, making it 3-3.
South Florida responded in the bottom of the fourth, leading off with back-to-back doubles to take a 4-3 lead.
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After a scoreless fifth, the Bulls added two runs in the sixth, one on a sacrifice fly and another on an infield single, to extend the lead to 6-3.
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Needing a scoring outburst to extend the game, the Shockers were held scoreless in the seventh.
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Nihart (7-8) took the loss for Wichita State in relief, allowing three runs on four hits in 4.0 innings.
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The Shocker offense was more productive, recording nine hits, with
Johnna Schroeder going 3-for-3, but South Florida's timely hitting proved to be the difference.
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Up Next
Wichita State travels to Norman to face No. 5 Oklahoma on Tuesday, March 31 at Love's Field.