GREENVILLE, N.C. - Mackenzie Wright's two-run home run and four RBI helped the Wichita State softball team defeat ECU 5-1 in game one of the series. 

In the second, the Shockers loaded the bases with two outs following a fielder's choice and two straight walks. A third straight by Wright gave her an RBI walk and the Shockers a 1-0 lead.

Madison Perrigan got Wichita State's first base hit of the game in the fourth, a shot straight up the middle, with Wright getting her home by crushing a two-run home run to left, her fourth of the season and second in three games.

Lange got her third and fourth strikeouts in the bottom of the fourth to keep the Pirates off the board. Bailee Nickerson then reached base for the second time of the evening in the fifth after being hit by a pitch. A ground out moved her to second with Lange doubling into left-center to get her home and pushing the lead to 4-0.

ECU got a baserunner with a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth. A double play by Wright, Mauriana Jamele and Buck got two outs but another two errors and a single cut the Shocker lead to 4-1.

In the seventh, Lange drew a two-out walk, Perrigan followed up with a single into right field to get runners on the corners with an error on a Jamele strike pushing the lead to 5-1. 

Lange (16-10) got her seventh strikeout of the game in the seventh with the Shockers getting the win to move to 28-17 on the year, 10-6 in The American.

Game two of the series begins at 1:00 p.m. CT tomorrow at the ECU Softball Complex.