WICHITA, Kan. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal from the previous night’s blowout, the West Georgia Wolves capitalized on early mistakes and rode a dominant start from Lex Kenny to edge the Wichita State Shockers 5-4 in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday at Eck Stadium.

The victory, just the second of the season for West Georgia against 12 losses, defied pregame projections that heavily favored Wichita State. Interstat’s game simulator had forecast a 7-0 shutout for the Shockers, who entered the day with an 8-4 record and were coming off a 22-4 rout of the Wolves on Friday.

The most important part of the game came in the top of the second inning, where West Georgia built a lead it would not relinquish. Facing Wichita State starter Brady Hamilton, who otherwise pitched six strong innings of scoreless ball, the Wolves scored all five of their runs, all unearned. The inning was ignited by a muffed throw from Shockers first baseman MJ Sweeney that put two runners on. Gabe Wuerth followed with an infield single to load the bases. After two strikeouts, Anthony Cole delivered a two-run double to break the scoreless tie. Mason Cooper then singled home two more, with Cole also scoring on the play due to an error on the relay, completing the five-run outburst.

That cushion proved vital as Kenny, the top star for West Georgia, delivered a masterful performance. The pitcher worked six innings, allowing just two earned runs on no hits. He walked four and struck out three. His outing continued a recent run of excellent form, following a six-inning, one-run performance against South Alabama on March 1.

Wichita State began chipping away in the fourth. Jayson Jones singled and scored on an RBI double by Max Kaufer. They added another run in the fifth when Kaleb Duncan singled and came home on an RBI double from Alex Ulloa, making it 5-2.

The Shockers threatened a serious comeback in the seventh. After Davis Williams relieved Kenny, Jaden Gustafson launched a solo home run to cut the deficit to 5-3. Williams then hit Ulloa and allowed a single to Owen Washburn, prompting West Georgia to bring in Zane Wright. Wright struck out Jones to end the threat and preserve the lead.

West Georgia added a critical insurance run in the eighth off reliever Amar Tsengeg. Blake Bradford singled, Patrick McCullough singled, and Andon Lewis drove in Bradford with an RBI single, extending the lead to 6-3.

Wichita State made a final push in the ninth against Wright. Duncan led off with a bunt single, but was erased on a fielder’s choice by Gustafson. After a wild pitch moved Gustafson to second and a strikeout, Washburn delivered an RBI single to make it 6-4. Drew Bugner entered as a pinch-runner, but Wright induced a game-ending lineout to right field from Jones to secure the victory.

Hamilton took the hard-luck loss for Wichita State, his line blemished by the unearned runs. Ryan Morrison provided 1 2/3 innings of hitless relief for the Shockers. Wright earned the save for West Georgia with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless, hitless work.

The Wolves finished with 11 hits, led by Cooper’s two hits and two RBIs. Wichita State managed nine hits, with Washburn collecting two RBIs. The teams were set to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.