GREENVILLE, N.C. – A first inning grand slam from Taylor Sedlacek lifted Wichita State to a series-opening win over the Pirates of East Carolina on Friday evening.
 
The Shockers (11-10) earn their second conference win of the season, while the Pirates (21-6) are now 0-4 in conference play.
 
After opening the first inning with three straight walks, Sedlacek turned the Shockers first hit of the weekend into an unquestioned grand slam to center field to give WSU a 4-0 lead in the top of the first that the Black and Yellow wouldn't relinquish.
 
Pitching would dominate the next five innings, as neither side could find consistent success at the plate. 

Starter Alex Aguilar (4-2) carried a no-hitter into the bottom of the fourth, before a one-out double broke the bid for greatness.
 
Aguilar pitched deep into the game. The Shocker sophomore tossed six complete innings, allowing just one run on six hits, while striking out six Pirates on her way to earning her fourth win of the season.
 
The Pirates ended the shutout in the sixth inning with back-to-back-to-back hits, resulting in one run coming across to score. ECU threatened to shrink the deficit further, but a magnificent, leaping play at third base from Krystin Nelson stole a run off the board from the Pirates to keep the Shockers up 4-1 moving into the seventh inning.
 
In the seventh, freshman Chloe Barber shutdown the ECU bats to earn her second save of the year behind a pair of strikeouts, giving the Shockers the series-opening win over the Pirates.
 
Up Next
The Shockers and Pirates continue the series Saturday at 1:00 p.m. CT on ESPN+.