Compton’s Home Run Sends Shockers to Quarterfinals

TAMPA, Fla. – Camryn Compton’s three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth pushed No. 5 seed Wichita State to a 5-2 win over No. 8 seed Tulsa in the second round of the American Athletic Conference Championship Wednesday afternoon.

Wichita State (29-24-1) advances to Thursday’s American quarterfinals where they will face No. 4 North Texas at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN+.

The Shockers were limited to just four hits in the game, but Compton’s 12th home run of the season proved to be the difference. Taylor Sedlacek doubled and scored two runs, Ellee Eck singled and drove in a run and Brookelyn Livanec singled to round out the hits.

Co-Freshman of the Year Ryley Nihart (11-7) went the distance in the circle, allowing only one earned run on seven hits and three walks.

A leadoff double to start the game turned into an early run on a Camryn Compton throwing error, giving Tulsa a 1-0 lead after the first inning.

Tulsa doubled its lead to 2-0 in the top of the second on a one-out, solo home run.

Wichita State cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the third on Eck’s RBI single after a Livanec single and Sami Hood sac bunt.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Shockers tied the game at 2-2 on Jodie Epperson’s sac fly. Sedlacek led off the inning with a double and then moved up to third on Compton’s sac bunt.

To open the bottom of the sixth, Eck and Sedlacek both reached on hit by pitches to set the scene for Compton. On the very first pitch of the at bat, Compton smashed a no-doubter over the wall in left.