MEMPHIS, Tenn. (GoShockers.com) — Wichita State turned a close game into a rout with four runs in the seventh and seven more in the eighth to support another strong start from Tommy LaPour, rolling past Memphis 14-1 on Thursday night at FedExPark.
The game was called after eight innings due to the ten-rule rule.
The Shockers (28-26, 14-11) guaranteed themselves a top-four seed at the American Athletic Conference tournament with the victory. It is the sixth straight win for Wichita State, establishing a new season high.
After the two teams traded zeroes for the first three innings, Mauricio Millan opened the scoring with an RBI single against Memphis starter David Warren (4-6). Jordan Rogers then made it 3-0 with a long two-run home run to left in the fifth, the first of two two-run shots on the day for Rogers.
The score stayed 3-0 into the seventh, when WSU lengthened out the lead thanks to the second blast from Rogers, a Kam Durnin sacrifice fly and an RBI double from Josh Livingston. Memphis (22-31, 9-16) had a chance to get back into the game in the home half of the inning when the Tigers loaded the bases with nobody out, but could muster just one run in the frame on a wild pitch that made it 7-1.
Wichita State then exploded for seven runs in the eighth to put the run rule into play. The Shockers drew five walks in the inning and got RBI singles from Durnin, Seth Stroh and Dayvin Johnson off three different Memphis relievers.
The offensive outburst supported an excellent performance from LaPour (5-3), who allowed just one hit over six innings for a second consecutive start. The freshman right-hander struck out two and walked three, allowing just one runner to reach third base.
Jack Mount took it the rest of the way for Wichita State, striking out two over the final two innings of work.
Warren allowed six hits and three runs in 4.2 innings to take the loss for Memphis. Three Memphis relievers were tagged for at least three earned runs after his departure.
The Shockers drew a season-high 12 walks in the contest, including three apiece from Dayvin and Camden Johnson. Millan was hit twice, giving the Shockers 100 hit by pitches as a team in 2024.
Wichita State and Memphis continue the series on Friday night. First pitch of game two is scheduled for 6:00 pm.
