Senior designated hitter Owen Washburn crushed a ball to left-center field for a three-run home run to break open a six-run lead for Wichita State.
On the very next pitch, the ball found its way back over the left-center field wall on senior catcher Max Kaufer’s solo bomb to extend the Shockers’ lead to 8-1.
Wichita State rolled past West Georgia 22-4 in a run-rule shortened game that lasted seven innings after a 17-hit performance on Friday at Eck Stadium. The Shockers (10-3) bounced back after losing to Omaha in the series finale last Saturday.
“We were letting the ball travel and seeing it deep,” head coach Brian Green said. “Just a much-improved performance by us, and it’s something we really needed to see out of our hitters. I thought we were really committed to the middle of the field today.”
Wichita State recorded seven extra base hits in the win, including four home runs. Washburn was especially potent at the plate with two hits, one walk and five RBIs in three plate appearances.
“I think that (my patience in the box) just comes with approach and seeing the ball deep,” Washburn said. “Not getting too jumpy and especially with wind today (Friday) blowing out to left, not getting a pull approach and seeing it deep, it really allows you to see the ball a long time and be able to move on the right pitch.”
Another impactful bat was graduate shortstop Alex Ulloa, who notched three hits, three runs and three RBIs, including a two-run home run in the third inning.
Ulloa said that being true to himself as a player has been the key to his early success this season.
“Just not trying to do too much,” Ulloa said. “Just stay within myself and stay with the approach and practice every day.”
He was also a huge difference maker in the field on Friday. Ulloa made four impressive running plays throughout the game.
Being patient, Ulloa said, helps make these difficult plays.
“Just collecting yourself and knowing you have more time than you think,” Ulloa said. “Not trying to rush things. If he’s safe, he’s safe, and just trying to make the play.”
Green had high praise for Ulloa’s work at shortstop after the game.
“He’s a great defender,” Green said. “I think he’s one of the best defenders in the league. He had a tremendous game today. He’s a calming influence out there. He’s old, he’s experienced and he’s playing great defense for us.”
Ulloa said he believes the most difficult aspect of playing shortstop is staying focused at all times.
“Mentally staying in every pitch,” Ulloa said. “You have to make sure you’re always locked in and not take any pitch off, and when you do that, it makes it a lot easier.”
Junior right-handed pitcher Matthew Cuccias had a decent start for the Shockers, allowing three hits, two walks and three earned runs along with five strikeouts. Cuccias also notched his first win of the season.
However, when the relief pitching came in, Wichita State really shone on the mound.
Caleb Reed, a junior right-handed pitcher, threw a three-up, three-down inning, including two strikeouts in the top of the sixth. Then, senior left-handed pitcher Heitaro Hayashi allowed one hit and struck out one batter to close out the game in the top of the seventh.
In the top of the fourth, West Georgia (1-12) got two runs across to cut the score to 10-4. But Wichita State responded by scoring 12 unanswered runs to win the game by run rule.
The Shockers have a lot of steam going into the rest of the series against West Georgia with a doubleheader that started at 1:05 p.m. on Saturday at Eck Stadium. Sunday’s game at 11:35 a.m. will conclude the four-game series.
“The scoreboard doesn’t carry over,” Green said. “Let’s just do a really good job of not focusing on the production and the hits, let’s do a good job of focusing on what we did from an approach and process standpoint. Let’s see if we can build on that momentum and see if we can repeat that.”
