Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
WICHITA, Kan. — No. 6 Oklahoma State scored five runs in the top of the fifth to complete a comeback win over Wichita State, 6-5, Wednesday night at Wilkins Stadium.
Wichita State (19-18) let another big win fall through its fingertips in a situation all too familiar this season. The Shockers led by four runs entering the fifth inning, but surrendered five runs to fall behind and could never recover. Wichita State lost both game to Oklahoma State this season by a combined two runs and held late leads in both.
Krystin Nelson had a pair of hits to go with an RBI and Taylor Sedlacek delivered the biggest hit on a two-run home run. Addison Barnard and Lainee Brown recorded the only other hits on the night on a single each.
Lauren Howell was superb through 4.0 innings, but ran into trouble in the fifth, allowing four runs, only two earned, on four hits. She struck out three and walked none. Alison Cooper (5-6) was saddled with the loss in relief. She gave up two runs on a walk and three strikeouts in 3.0 innings.
A pair of errors on the night proved costly for Wichita State, as the Cowgirls scored three unearned runs on Shocker miscues.
An error in the first inning led to Oklahoma State scoring a run on a spectacular double play by Sami Hood.
Oklahoma State would return the favor in the second on a fielding error to allow the tying run to come home.
Sedlacek's big two-run home run in the bottom of the third put the Shockers in front, 3-1. That lead grew to 5-1 in the fourth on Nelson's RBI single and CC Wong's fielder's choice.
The Cowgirls quickly turned the momentum in the top of the fifth when the first two hitters reached on a single and double. Another single made it 5-2 and then an infield single and a throwing error brought two more home, making it just a one-run game. A sac fly tied the game at 5-5. Following a groundout, a single to the left-center gap put the Cowgirls in front, 6-5.
Wichita State had a golden opportunity to tie or take the lead in the sixth after Lainee Brown walked to leadoff. A sac bunt from Jessica Garcia moved Avery Barnard, pinch running for Brown, to second and then a Nelson single put runners on the corners with only one out. Wong then grounded out to second and Barnard struck out to retire the side, stranding the tying run just 60 feet away.
Up Next:Separated by one game in the conference standings, Wichita State and UAB open a weekend series at Wilkins Stadium, April 19 at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.