WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State scored their most runs in a game since 2012 in a 22-4 rout of West Georgia on Friday afternoon at Eck Stadium.
The game was called after seven innings by the 10-run rule.
The offensive explosion is the first time Wichita State has cracked 20 runs since 2015 and their most runs since putting up 26 against North Dakota on February 25, 2012. The Shockers banged out 17 hits, drew eight walks, stole four bases and were hit three times as part of the offensive onslaught.
It all started with a relatively benign first inning, as West Georgia (1-12) scratched across a run on a throwing error and Wichita State (10-3) answered back with a run of their own on an
Owen Washburn sacrifice fly.
But the Shockers began to pour it on in the second inning, scoring seven runs. The highlight of the frame came on back-to-back pitches, as Washburn blasted a three-run, opposite field homer and
Max Kaufer followed with a solo blast of his own to stake Wichita State to an 8-1 lead.
After the Wolves got a solo homer from Patrick McCullough in the top of the third,
Alex Ulloa joined the home run parade with a booming two-run shot of his own to center, stretching the lead to 10-2.
West Georgia got as close as 10-4 on an RBI groundout and sacrifice fly in the fourth, but the Shockers tacked on one run in the fifth and 11 more in the sixth to pull away. The sixth inning barrage had the first seven Shockers reach base and score, including an RBI double from
Josh Wulfert and two-run double from
Jack Quick.
Kaleb Duncan put the run rule into play by cracking a three-run homer, and a flurry of walks, wild pitches and singles ultimately pushed across five more runs in the inning.
It's the third time already this season that Wichita State has scored 10 or more runs in a single inning.
Ulloa, Wulfert and
Jaden Gustafson all had three hits to lead Wichita State, while Washburn drove in five runs.
Matthew Cuccias (1-0) picked up the win, working 5.0 innings and allowing four runs (three earned). He struck out five and walked two.
Caleb Reed and
Heitaro Hayashi each tossed a scoreless inning to close out the win.
The Shockers and Wolves will play a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:05 pm CT.Â