The Wichita State softball team (19-13, 7-5 American) traveled to Tampa, Fla., to face South Florida (27-11, 9-3) in a three-game weekend series.

The Shockers dropped two of the three games and scored the fewest runs in a three-game series this year (9), the second lowest being 14. They did manage a series-opening win on Friday that lasted 3 hours, 50 minutes against a team ranked No. 39 in RPI.

Friday

An extra-inning thriller opened the series for Wichita State, as they defeated the Bulls 5-4 in 11 innings.

South Florida took an early lead in the first inning, but Wichita State responded in the second when freshman Kammie Smith hit a solo home run.

The Shockers kept the momentum going into the third inning, with freshman Kinzey Woody hitting a two-run double. Smith followed with another hit, bringing Woody home to extend the lead to 4-1.

Senior Jade Sanders stepped into the circle in the seventh inning, but the Bulls rallied to tie the game and force extras, 4-4.

After the teams pushed the game to an 11th inning, a throwing error by South Florida allowed freshman Mackenzie Rooney to score the game-winning run.

Sanders earned her fourth win of the season, while Riley Nihart recorded her first save of the season and second of her career after re-entering to secure the final two outs.

Five Shockers recorded hits, all posting multi-hit performances. Smith led the way, going 3-for-6 with two RBIs.

Saturday

The Shockers’ offense was limited during a 3-1 loss in Game 2 against the Bulls.

South Florida opened the scoring in the third inning with a sacrifice flyout. Wichita State answered in the fourth when sophomore Ausha Moore hit a solo home run — the Shockers’ only run of the game.

The Bulls responded with runs in the fourth and sixth innings to secure the win.

Sophomore Ava Sliger was tagged with her first loss of the season, allowing three runs on seven hits. Wichita State managed just four hits offensively.

The game lasted 1 hour and 40 minutes, marking the shortest seven-inning contest for the Shockers this season.

Sunday 

In the rubber match, the Shockers’ offense came out strong, with junior Trinity Allen hitting a solo home run. Wichita State eventually fell, 6-3.

Sanders returned to the mound after her outing on Friday and gave up three runs during the bottom of the second inning.

Allen added another home run in the top of the third, recording her first multi-home run game of the season.

Shocker ace Nihart came in for relief in the third inning, not starting on the bump due to a stomach bug, according to the ESPNU announcers.

Woody hit another homer for Wichita State, tying the game up at three. All three runs from the Shockers were solo home runs.

The Bulls answered back in the fourth, taking the lead back by one and never looking back, earning two more in the sixth inning to close out the game

Nihart took her eighth loss of the season, moving to 7-8 in the circle.

Up Next

Wichita State will resume play Tuesday against No. 3 Oklahoma at 5 p.m. at Love’s Field in Norman.