April 27, 2008
Box Score
WICHITA, Kan. - A late two-run home run by Kelly Papesh (Minooka, Ill./Minooka) in the top of the seventh was too little too late and Wichita State held on to top the UNI 5-2 in the final game of the three-game series.
Wichita State struck early, scoring two runs in the first inning off three hits. The Shockers added to their lead in the bottom of the third when Britnee Barnett hit a solo home run to left field. After a scoreless fourth inning, Wichita added two more runs when Cynthia Verhulst drilled a two-run homer to center field, giving the Shockers a 5-0 lead.
UNI rallied late in the game, as Morgan Paulson (Fort Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge) connected for a double to left center. Papesh then blasted the two-run long ball over the left center fence to pull the Panthers within 5-2. Wichita State's Ashly Bright then ended the Panthers rally by striking out the next batter to get the third out and the win.
Bright earned the win for the Shockers in the circle, tossing a complete game and allowing the Panthers just four hits while throwing seven strikeouts. Larsen was charged with the loss for the Panthers, tossing her tenth complete game of the season.
UNI (19-25, 4-14 MVC) will return home for its final regular season series with Illinois State. The Panthers and Redbirds will play three games next weekend, with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 12 p.m.
