WICHITA, Kan. --Â Wichita State secured a series win to open American Conference play with a 7-2 win over Charlotte on Sunday afternoon at Eck Stadium.
One day after allowing 19 runs on 22 hits, Wichita State pitchers held the Charlotte offense to just one earned run on seven hits, handing out one walk while striking out 11.
Charlotte (15-9, 1-2) grabbed the game's first run on a two-out wild pitch in the top of the third, but that was all they could muster against WSU starter
Johnny Nuanez (3-0), who was excellent over 5.0 innings of work to earn the win. Nuanez conceded just three singles, striking out six without issuing a walk.
The Shockers (17-9, 2-1) got the run back via a run-scoring fielder's choice grounder from
Jaden Gustafson in the bottom of the third, then took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fourth.
Alex Ulloa led off the inning with a walk and
Jacob Gutierrez followed with his second double of the day, giving the Shockers runners at second and third with no outs.
Jack Quick put WSU in front with an RBI ground out, then
Owen Rush bounced a ground ball through a drawn-in Charlotte infield for a 3-1 lead.
The Wichita State bullpen made that slim advantage hold up.
Brady Owens worked a scoreless sixth with two strikeouts, and
Amar Tsengeg blanked the 49ers for 2.0 innings, plus stranding an inherited runner at second base.
That bullpen effort gave time for the Wichita State offense to blow the game open in the bottom of the eighth. Two hit by pitches and a walk loaded the bases with two outs for
Jayson Jones and
Owen Washburn, who banged a two-run single and double, respectively, to turn the 3-1 lead into 7-1.
Brady Pacha closed the door by recording the final three outs, allowing an unearned run before striking out Spencer Nolan to end the game.
Charlotte's Chayse Oxborrow (1-1) took the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits over 5.1 innings.
The Shockers do not have a midweek game this week and will be back in action at Memphis on Friday. First pitch of the series opener is scheduled for 6:05 pm CT.
