Friday, May 12, 2017

NORMAL, Ill. – Senior Katie Malone allowed just four hits and had a perfect game through four innings, as the Shockers knocked off No. 8 Loyola by a score of 3-1 to advance to the semifinals later this afternoon against Northern Iowa at 4 p.m.
 
Malone got the start in the circle, throwing her 20th complete game of the year and receiving her 26th win of the year to lead Wichita State into the semifinals against Northern Iowa.
 
With one out in the first inning, Kelli Spring doubled to right-center to extend her on-base streak to 15 games. After a groundout and a walk to Madison Perrigan, a strikeout ended inning, sending us to the second, tied 0-0.
 
Malone then sat the Ramblers down in order in the second and Laurie Derrico hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the second to give Wichita State a 1-0 lead.
 
McKenzie Adams reached base on a one-out error in the second, and Perrigan made the Ramblers pay, sending a home run over the center-field wall, giving Wichita State a 3-0 lead.
 
In the fifth inning, Katie Kasubke hit a solo home run to center field to break up the perfect game and the no-hitter, and cut the score to 3-1.
 
Malone allowed just three hits for the remainder of the game, leading Wichita State to a 3-1 win.
 
The Shockers move to 32-19 on the year and will play Northern Iowa later today at 4 p.m., for a chance to play in the championship game tomorrow at 1 p.m.