CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Wichita State carried a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning but allowed four runs and could not rally in a 5-4 defeat to Charlotte on Sunday afternoon at Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium.
The Shockers (11-20, 4-5) had just taken a two-run lead with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth, breaking a 1-1 deadlock. After a one-out single and a hit by pitch,
Jaden Gustafson bounced an RBI single into right-center field to give the Shockers a 2-1 advantage.
Josh Livingston added the second run of the inning on an RBI ground out, pushing the lead to 3-1.
Karsen Richard (0-1), who had recorded the final out of the seventh inning, stayed out for the eighth and retired the leadoff man on a grounder to shortstop. From there, however, Richard issued a pair of walks sandwiched around a single to load the bases with one out. The Shockers summoned
Nick Potter from the bullpen, who issued another walk to force in a run that cut the lead to 3-2. Pinch-hitter Thad Ector tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center, then Connor Maryniak put Charlotte (18-13, 6-3) in front with a two-run double to right-center.
Down to their final three outs and trailing 5-3, Wichita State mounted a rally of their own in the ninth.
Ryan Callahan led off the inning with a single, then after two consecutive outs,
Jordan Rogers smacked an RBI double to cut the 49ers lead to 5-4 with the tying run at second base. Left-hander Tanner Kaler came out of the Charlotte bullpen and retired
Camden Johnson on a ground ball to second for the final out and Kaler's second save.
Adam Stanton (2-1) picked up the win for Charlotte, working 1.1 innings in relief while allowing three hits and one run.
Both starters put together quality outings.
Brady Hamilton held Charlotte to six hits and just one run over 5.0-plus innings, striking out five and walking two in a no-decision. Sebastian Perez allowed two hits and one run in his 3.0 innings for the 49ers, followed by 4.1 frames from lefty Chase Carson.
The two teams traded solo homers to reach 1-1.
Jaden Gustafson skied his first career home run in the top of the first to open the scoring and Johnny Sutryk answered with a solo blast for Charlotte in the bottom of the fifth.
The Shockers are back in action on Tuesday against Newman. First pitch from Eck Stadium is scheduled for 11:00 am CT.
