Wichita State Athletics

WICHITA, Kan. — A go-ahead three-run home run in the sixth inning from Owen Washburn lifted Wichita State to a 7-4 win over Tulane in game two of the series Friday at Eck Stadium.
 
The win for the Shockers (21-11, 5-3) sets up a rubber match on Saturday against Tulane (16-16, 3-5).
 
After falling behind early Thursday night, Wichita State's Owen Washburn quickly put the Shockers in front with a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the first.
 
Jacob Gutierrez doubled Wichita State's lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the third with an RBI single that brought home Jayson Jones.
 
In the top of the fourth, Tulane loaded the bases with nobody out against Shocker starter Brady Hamilton and capitalized by scoring two runs — one on a sacrifice fly and one on an RBI double — to tie the game at 2-2.
 
Wichita State immediately got back in front in the bottom of the fourth, mounting a two-out rally. Jaden Gustafson drove in Jack Quick on a sacrifice fly, and Alex Ulloa scored Owen Rush on an infield single to put the Shockers up 4-2.
 
Once again, Tulane loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the fifth and cashed in to score two runs, tying the game at 4-4.
 
With two outs and two runners on in the bottom of the sixth, Washburn blasted a three-run home run that traveled 432 feet to put the Shockers back in front, 7-4.
 
Across the final three innings, Caleb Reed and Brady Pacha combined to hold Tulane scoreless, allowing just two baserunners the rest of the way. Pacha earned his fifth save of the season.
 
Reed (5-0) earned the win in relief. The redshirt junior was excellent, firing three innings of no-hit baseball with one walk and three strikeouts.
 
Washburn led the Shocker offense with a 3-for-4 performance, driving in four runs on two home runs. It was his fourth three-hit game of the season and his first since March 7 against West Georgia.
 
Jones, Gutierrez and Rush also recorded multi-hit games, collecting two hits each. Jones extended his hitting streak to 23 games in the victory.

The Shockers and Green Wave conclude the series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 pm CT.