WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State nearly erased an 11-run deficit but ran out of time as West Georgia held on for a 13-11 win in a game shortened to eight innings by West Georgia's travel curfew.
The Wolves (3-13) jumped all over Wichita State (11-5) in the early innings, scoring a run in the top of the first and six runs apiece in the third and fourth innings to build a 13-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. It was all Shockers from that on, however, as WSU scored the game's final nine runs.
It started in the bottom of the fourth, as
Max Kaufer and
Jayson Jones cranked back-to-back solo homers to trim the West Georgia lead to 13-4. Then with two outs,
Drew Bugner dumped an RBI single into right field to pull the Shockers within 13-5.
The Shockers got another leadoff solo homer in the fifth, this time courtesy of
Owen Washburn, and added another run later in the inning on a double play grounder to slice the West Georgia lead to 13-7.
Wichita State's bullpen kept the Wolves off the scoreboard while the Shockers rallied.
Karsen Richard struck out five hitters in a row from the end of the fourth inning through the fifth, then
Mitchell Johnson,
Ryan Morrison and
Heitaro Hayashi each turned in a scoreless inning to keep Wichita State within striking distance.
WSU continued their rally in the bottom of the seventh, scoring three more times to inch within 13-10. Bugner beat out a potential double play grounder to score one run, then
Jaden Gustafson followed with a booming two-run homer off West Georgia reliever Zane Wright.
The Shockers got another Kaufer solo homer in the bottom of the eighth, but Wright bounced back to retire the next two hitters and end the game.
Wichita State starter
Ethan Rogers (0-1) took the loss in his first collegiate start, allowing four runs over 2.1 innings. Davis Williams (1-0) earned the win for West Georgia, working a scoreless inning out of the Wolves bullpen.
The Shockers are back in action on Tuesday for their first midweek game of the season at Kansas State. First pitch from Manhattan is scheduled for 6:00 pm CT.
