Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
WICHITA, Kan. — Lauren Howell tossed a one-hitter, complete game shutout to lead Wichita State to a 3-0 win over Memphis Saturday afternoon at Wilkins Stadium.
Wichita State (24-21, 15-11) clinched the series with the win and extended its win streak to 16 in a row over the Tigers. With Tulsa's loss on Saturday at Florida Atlantic, the Shockers have the inside track to the No. 4 seed in next week's American Athletic Conference Championship.
Howell took a no-hitter into the top of the sixth when Memphis' Aaliyah Dixon beat out an infield single. That was the only hit of the day for the Tigers against Howell who had the Memphis hitters off balance all day. She struck out seven and walked three to record her fifth win of the season.
Wichita State managed just four hits itself, the big one coming off the bat of Addison Barnard. Barnard launched her 18th home run of the season and 87th of her career on a solo shot in the fifth inning. CC Wong, Lainee Brownand Jessica Garcia all had a single apiece.
The Shockers put two on the board in the bottom of the second on a Memphis error and Wong's RBI single.
Barnard added the cherry on top with her fifth inning solo home run.
Wichita State and Memphis wrap up the series on Sunday at Noon on ESPN+.