The Green Wave couldn't stop a seventh-inning home run, ultimately falling to the Shockers 7-4.
After a solid win to open up another road American Conference series, the Tulane Green Wave dropped its second game to the Wichita State Shockers by a score of 7-4.
Relief pitcher Blaise Wilcenski was tabbed with the loss on the mound for Tulane after giving up two runs on two hits with two strikeouts and two batters walked across 2.1 innings. Trey Cehajic, who earned the start, continued his struggles with seven hits and four runs given up in 3.1 innings of action.
The Shockers opened the game with a solo home run in the first inning and added their second run of the game on an RBI single in the third.
Down but far from out, the Sluggerbirds found a way to battle back in the top of the fourth inning. After putting some traffic on the basepaths, Tanner Chun unloaded a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Matthias Haas. Tye Wood would come home to score on a double by Kaikea Harrison, but Johnny Elliott would be thrown out at home to keep the score knotted at two runs apiece.
The advantage was short-lived for the visiting squad. Wichita State added another pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a sacrifice fly and an infield single, pushing the score to 4-2.
For the second inning in a row, the Green Wave found a way to tie the game right back up. The top of the fifth featured plenty of chaos, with a fielder's choice and a throwing error adding the third run of the game for Tulane. Wood kept things rolling with an RBI groundout to bring home Trent Liolios.
Things would unravel much more for the visiting team in the seventh inning. A three-run home run by Washburn -- his second of the night -- pushed the score to 7-4. That lead would ultimately be insurmountable for the Green Wave; while the Shockers were able to pick up their final nine outs of the game relatively easily, the Sluggerbirds were only able to muster a walk and a single to give themselves a chance.
Jason Wachs led the Tulane offense, going 2-for-4 on the night with one run scored. Meanwhile, Haas and Wood each contributed a run and an RBI, and Liolios drew three walks.
If there's ever a time for a big win, it's now. The Green Wave has had its fair share of ups and downs throughout the year, and the program desperately needs to maintain some momentum in American play if it wants to make a run at postseason play.
Tulane will go for the series win in Saturday's rubber match game. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.