WICHITA, Kan. -- Aaron Arnold tossed 5.1 innings in his first home start and Wichita State used more early offense to topple UAB 6-2 on Saturday afternoon at Eck Stadium.

For the second straight game, the Shockers (10-16, 3-2) used a big second inning to take command. After the two teams traded solo home runs in the first, one from UAB's Wesley Helms and the other from WSU's Josh Livingston, Wichita State scored three times in the second to create separation. Kam Durnin was hit by a pitch to open the inning, then Gannon Snyder rifled an RBI double down the left field line to give the Shockers a 2-1 lead. Ryan Callahan pulled a single through the right side to score Snyder, then crossed home plate himself when Kaleb Duncan bunted him to second and Camden Johnson singled him in for a 4-1 advantage.

Arnold (4-1) withstood the early solo homer and responded with zeroes on the scoreboard in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings before leaving with one out in the sixth. The right-handed did not walk a batter, striking out four and allowing four hits in his 5.1 innings.

Wichita State built on their lead in the bottom of the fifth on the strength of three consecutive two-out hits. With the bases empty, Jaden Gustafson bounced a double down the left field line to kick off the rally. Durnin followed by lining a double to right center, scoring Gustafson to extend the edge to 5-1. Snyder tacked on the final run of the inning with a run-scoring single of his own, giving WSU a 6-1 lead.

After Jace Miner turned in 1.2 scoreless innings to get the Shockers through the seventh with the lead intact, WSU had to survive a nervous eighth inning. Three walks, two wild pitches and a hit batter led to a run and loaded the bases with two outs, bringing Logan Braunschweig to the plate representing the tying run. Jeremiah Arnett entered in relief and retired Braunschweig on a fly ball to left, then logged a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure his first save of the season.

Starter Colin Daniel (3-2) took the loss for UAB (15-12, 1-4), allowing six runs on eight hits over 5.0 innings.

The Shockers and Blazers conclude the series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm CT.