WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State used a pair of four-run innings to defeat Gonzaga 10-6 in game one of the series Friday at Tyler Field. In the fourth inning, Jordan Rogers lifted a grand slam off GU starter Michael Cunneely to ignite the Shocker offense on their way to double-digit runs.
 
Wichita State (11-6) and Gonzaga (3-12) combined for 16 runs and 27 hits in the series opener. Gage Mestas and Tommy Eisenstat each went 3-for-5 to lead a dozen GU hits. For Mestas, it was his fourth multi-hit game in his last five games and first three-hit game of his career.
 
The Zags struck immediately in the first after Mestas singled, Eisenstat doubled, and a wild pitch brought Mestas home. An RBI groundout from Jace Phelan gave the Zags the early 2-0 edge.
 
Rogers' grand slam in the fourth put Wichita State in front 4-2, before Gonzaga got one back in the fifth to make it 4-3. The Shockers plated one in the sixth and four in the seventh to extend to a 9-3 lead, but GU responded with three in the eighth to cut that lead in half. Josh Hankins was responsible for two of those runs, sending a two-run double to right to spark Gonzaga's rally.
 
A Wichita State insurance run in the bottom of the eighth brought the score to 10-6, and closer Nate Adler returned in the ninth to complete the five-out save.
 
Shockers starter Caden Favors earned his fourth win of the season after lasting six innings and allowing just two earned runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking one. Michael Cunneely (1-2) was dealt the loss, working four innings, giving up four runs on six hits, striking out three and walking just his second batter of the season.
 
UP NEXT
Gonzaga looks to even the series Saturday at 12pm PST. Follow @ZagBaseball on social media for all the latest updates, and check gozags.com for results and streaming information.