CONWAY, Ark. _ The 22nd-ranked Wichita State Shockers used a six-run sixth inning to down the University of Central Arkansas Bears 9-6 on Tuesday afternoon in non-conference action at Bear Stadium.

The Bears (15-10) held a 6-3 lead through five innings, thanks in part to a three-run home run by senior shortstop Josh Somdecerff in the fourth inning. But the Shockers (18-4) exploded for six runs on six hits in the sixth inning and never trailed again.

UCA took an early 1-0 lead in the third inning when Hunter Strong was hit by a pitch and eventually scored on Tyler Smith's RBI double. The Shockers tied it with a run in the fourth but UCA answered with three more in the bottom of the fourth when second baseman T.J. Black and Strong both walked in front of Somdecerff, who launched his fourth home run of the season over the left-center fence for a 4-1 advantage.

Both teams scored twice in the fifth inning, UCA's runs coming on Black's two-run single that brought in Justin McCarty and Keaton Presley. After falling behind 9-6, the Bears had their chances, leaving the bases loaded in the eighth inning and a single runner on in the seventh. For the game, UCA stranded 11 base runners.

Freshman righthander Logan Gilbertson (1-1) took the loss for UCA, while Keylan Kilgore (2-1) got the win in relief for WSU, with Chandler Sanburn picking up his fourth save.

Smith finished 3 for 5 for the Bears, while Somdercerff went 1 for 4 with 3 RBI and Black was 1 for 2 with 2 RBI.

UCA returns to Southland Conference play at 4 p.m. Thursday, hosting the Northwestern State Demons.