WSU Sports
Ryan McEvoy, Media Relations Assistant
WICHITA – The Wichita State softball team fell to the University of Tulsa, 9-3, in game one of a two day, three game, series at Wilkins Stadium in a showdown between the reigning American Athletic Conference pitcher of the week in Tulsa’s Emily Watson and The American’s player of the week Mackenzie Wright.
It was Tulsa who struck first through an infield single from their leadoff batter. A two-run home run got them both round before two straight singles and a walk loaded the bases. Another single followed by a fielder’s choice added on two more.
Wright recorded the Shockers first hit of the day with a single up the middle but the Shocker bats left her stranded. Bailey Lange then knocked the Golden Hurricane’s down in order quickly followed by Watson doing the same to Wichita State.
A diving putout from Wright in the third ended the top half with her second hit of the game seeing her get on base for the second time. Bailee Nickerson followed suit with an opposite field single to get runners on the corners but the Shockers stranded them both.
In the fourth Tulsa added two more with a walk and double getting runners on the corners, an infield single getting one home with a sacrifice fly double play getting the other to home plate.
The Shockers showed some life in the fifth, Asea Webber singling to get on base with Madison Perrigan crushing a two-run home run over left center to cut the Tulsa lead to 6-2.
They responded immediately in the next half inning with a single and walk getting two on base. Three more hits got another three runners home to push the lead to 9-2.
The Shockers added their third run of the game in the seventh to cut the lead to 9-3. Webber led off with a double into left center with Perrigan grounding out to get her to third and Mauriana Jamele pinch hitting a ground out RBI to get her home.
Tulsa got the final out to get the win with the Shockers moving to 21-13 on the season and 4-3 in The American. Wright and Webber finished 2-for-2 at the plate with Lange getting the loss in the circle (11-9).
The teams will wrap up the rivalry series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. at Wilkins Stadium. Both games will be broadcast live on Shocker HD.