WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State used a five-run fifth inning and some excellent relief pitching to take down Charlotte 8-3 in the American Conference opener at Eck Stadium on Friday night.

The Shockers (16-8, 1-0) had to survive an abbreviated start from Matthew Cuccias and an early departure from reliever Ryan Morrison, who exited after just 10 pitches with an apparent injury. The combination of Morrison, Caleb Reed and Brady Pacha totaled 5.2 innings out of the Wichita State bullpen and allowed just one run on three hits, with Pacha working the final four innings to record his second save of the season.

After Cuccias struck out the side in the first, Charlotte (14-8, 0-1) got on the board in the second with three straight hits, including Alec DeMartino's RBI double for a 1-0 lead. After Jayson Jones tied the game at 1-1 with a run-scoring fielder's choice, Cale Stricklin nudged the 49ers back in front with a fourth inning sacrifice fly after Charlotte loaded the bases with one out against Cuccias.

Charlotte held that 2-1 lead until the fifth, when Wichita State surged in front with a five-run inning against reliever AJ Camp (1-1). Alex Ulloa tied the game with an opposite-field RBI single, then perfectly executed bunts from Kaleb Duncan and Owen Rush each plated a run to stake Wichita State to a 4-2 lead. Ethan Gonzalez delivered the big blow in the inning, banging a two-run double off the wall in left-center for a 6-2 advantage.

An RBI single from Ulloa and a Jack Quick RBI double in the sixth pushed the margin out to 8-2.

Charlotte got their lone run against Pacha with a solo homer from DeMartino in the eighth, but the Wichita State righty bounced back by retiring the final five Charlotte hitters to secure the victory.

Rush led Wichita State with three hits, while Ulloa and Jones both added two.

Reed (3-0) picked up the win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames after taking over for Morrison.

The Shockers and 49ers continue the series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 pm CT.