WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State scored five early runs and made it stand up in a 5-4 win over East Carolina on Friday night at Eck Stadium.

The Shockers (14-30, 6-13) chased East Carolina starter Brad Pruett (3-5) from the game after just five outs, scoring one in the first inning and four in the second to seize a quick 5-0 lead. Josh Livingston opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first, then Wichita State made the most of some two-out charity in the second. With the bases empty and two outs, Pruett walked three consecutive Wichita State hitters to load the bases. Kam Durnin hit a slow ground ball up the first base line and beat Pruett to the bag in a foot race, doubling the lead to 2-0, then reliever Ethan Young walked Livingston with the bases loaded to force in another run. Jordan Rogers produced the big swing in the inning, lacing a two-run double over the head of right fielder Jack Herring for a 5-0 lead.

WSU starter Grant Adler (4-5) was on cruise control for six innings, holding the Pirates (26-20, 11-8) to just two hits and no runs. The Pirates offense finally awoke in the seventh, chasing Adler from the game with three consecutive hits to open the inning. Pinch hitter Roger Vergara dumped a two-run single to get East Carolina within 5-2 and later in the inning Alex Bouche slapped an RBI double to bring the tying run to the plate. ECU cut the deficit to a run when Braden Burress lined a sacrifice fly on a nice sliding catch from right fielder Lane Haworth, but WSU reliever Aaron Arnold preserved the lead when Ryley Johnson struck out on a foul bunt with two strikes.

Arnold worked a scoreless eighth and Nick Potter retired all three he faced in the ninth to record his third save of the season.

The Shockers finished with just five hits, two courtesy of Livingston and one apiece from Rogers, Durnin and Camden Johnson.

Wichita State and East Carolina continue the series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm CT.