The softball team’s season came to a close at the NCAA Stillwater Regional Saturday night. 

The Shockers received a bid to the NCAA College Softball Tournament for the third season in a row. 

Wichita State was named the American Athletic Conference regular season champion but lost in the conference tournament to Tulsa this season. The softball team ended the season with a 44-12 record. 

The women were placed in a regional with No. 6 Oklahoma State, Nebraska and UMBC. The Shockers beat both OSU and Nebraska twice during the regular season. 

Game 1: 

Wichita State was down 5-0 until the fifth inning against Nebraska. Freshman pitcher Alex Aguilar came into the circle in the third inning to relieve junior Lauren Howell. She allowed one run on seven hits. 

Senior Zoe Jones got it started at the plate with a two-run single. Wichita State scored four more in the sixth for the win. 

Two challenged calls from head coach Krisiti Bredbenner helped create momentum on offense. 

The first challenged call came in the fourth when freshman Sami Hood threw to senior catcher Lainee Brown at the plate for a tag. The umpire called the Nebraska runner safe but it was overturned. The second happened in the bottom of the fifth on a two out single from Addison Barnard. She was called out at first which would have ended the inning, but it was overturned as well. 

Game 2: 

The Cowgirls stunned the Shockers 6-0 in game two. Wichita State beat OSU at home 8-7 in April and 3-1 at Cowgirl Stadium later in the month. The loss put Wichita State in the losers bracket. 

Game 3: 

Due to double elimination, the Shockers’ 9-8 loss to Nebraska last night ended their season. The game went into two extra innings. 

The Cornhuskers closed it out in the bottom of the ninth on a walkoff ground out, sending the runner at third base home. 

Senior Sydney McKinney put on a standout performance in the last game of her Shocker career. She went 4-4 at the plate and scored three runs. Senior Lauren Mills homered twice, doubled and recorded 3 RBI’s. 

Aguilar ended her freshman season against Nebraska with a 15-4 record. The Midland, Texas, native was named AAC Rookie of the Year.