WICHITA, Kan. (Interstat) — Max Kaufer delivered two monumental home runs, driving in seven runs, as the Wichita State Shockers stormed back from a seven-run deficit to defeat the West Georgia Wolves 12-7 in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday at Eck Stadium.

The game, played on March 7, 2026, was a stunning reversal of fortune. The Wolves, entering with a 2-12 record, ambushed Wichita State starter Kortum in the first inning, sending 10 batters to the plate. Cole doubled, McCullough drove him in with a single, and Andon Lewis launched a two-run homer to stake West Georgia to a 4-0 lead before an out was recorded. The Wolves added three more in the second inning, capitalizing on a Wichita State error, with Mason Cooper delivering a two-run single for a 7-0 advantage.

That early outburst was supported by a brilliant start from West Georgia pitcher Luke Ridley, who held the potent Shockers offense hitless through 5 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, the Shockers’ bullpen trio of Wyatt Foley, Dax Sharp and Brady Pacha combined for 7 2/3 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief, striking out nine and allowing the comeback to materialize.

Wichita State finally broke through in the fourth on an RBI single by Drew Bugner, but still trailed 7-1 entering the bottom of the seventh. The Shockers then ignited their rally. Consecutive singles and a walk loaded the bases before Brock Wulfert and MJ Sweeney delivered run-scoring hits, cutting the deficit to 7-4.

That set the stage for Kaufer, a pinch-hitter, who crushed a three-run homer to left field off reliever Park, tying the game at 7 and completely erasing West Georgia’s once-commanding lead.

After Pacha worked a 1-2-3 top of the eighth, the Shockers completed the comeback in the bottom half. With two on and one out, Kaufer came to the plate again and blasted a grand slam to left-center field, his second homer of the game, giving Wichita State an 11-7 lead. Kaleb Duncan added an RBI single later in the inning to provide the final margin.

Kaufer, who entered the game hitting .200 over his previous five contests, finished 2 for 2 with the seven RBIs, the defining performance in a game where he was not in the starting lineup. Sweeney and Bugner each had three of Wichita State’s 17 hits, with Bugner driving in one and Sweeney driving in two.

For West Georgia, which managed nine hits but grounded into two double plays, Lewis finished with four RBIs, including his first-inning homer and a sacrifice fly. Ridley’s no-hit bid ended with two outs in the sixth, and he was charged with one earned run over 5 2/3 innings.

The victory improved Wichita State’s record to 9-4, while West Georgia fell to 2-13. The Shockers’ win defied the pregame projection from Interstat, whose simulator had forecast a 7-0 Wichita State victory. The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.