GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina scored twice in the bottom of the first inning and never trailed, defeating Wichita State 10-3 on Saturday evening at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

The Shockers (12-18) loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first on three hits, but could not score against East Carolina starter Jake Kuchmaner. In the bottom of the inning, Payton Tolle retired the first two hitters to open the frame, but the next four hitters reached base, capped by a two-run single off the bat of Jacob Jenkins-Cowart for a 2-0 lead.

Ross Cadena halved the lead with an RBI single in the top of the fourth, but the Pirates (18-14) answered with two runs of their own in the home half. Carter Cunningham plated a run with an RBI groundout, and Zach Agnos made it 4-1 with a two-out bunt single.

Wichita State pulled a run back in the fifth when Sawyre Thornhill tapped an RBI groundout to third, scoring Chuck Ingram, who led off the inning with a walk. Jenkins-Cowart tripled with two outs in the bottom of the frame to extend the lead back to three runs at 5-2.

Garrett Kocis drove home the Shockers final run of the day with a sacrifice fly in the seventh, but the Pirates were able to blow the game open with five runs of their own in the home half.

Carter Spivey (2-0) picked up the win in relief for ECU, allowing one run over 2.1 innings. Tolle (2-4) took the loss, giving up five runs over 5.0 innings. Robert Cranz worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth in relief for the Shockers.

Brock Rodden led the way offensively for the Shockers with three hits, including a pair of doubles.

The Shockers and Pirates conclude the series on Sunday at 11:15 am CT.