GREENVILLE, N.C. -- Wichita State scored a run in the top of the first inning but was unable to muster any offense afterwards, dropping the series opener at East Carolina 7-1 on Friday night at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

The Shockers (23-16, 7-6) struck first when Nolan Ganter rifled a two-out RBI single against East Carolina starter Luke Payne, who had walked Owen Washburn and hit Jack Quick earlier in the inning. But the slim 1-0 advantage did not last, as the Pirates answered with a two-out run of their own in the second inning courtesy of a Walker Barron RBI single that leveled the score at 1-1.

Jack Herring put East Carolina (23-15-1, 8-5) in front to stay with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth against Wichita State reliever Caleb Reed, giving the Pirates a 3-1 lead. ECU added a single run in the sixth and three more in the bottom of the eighth, taking advantage of four Wichita State errors to build the 7-1 lead.

The Pirates got 7.2 scoreless innings from relievers Gavin Marley, Ethan Rose and Joseph Webb, who combined for 11 strikeouts and just one walk.

Starter Matthew Cuccias (3-2) took the loss for Wichita State, allowing two runs in 4.0 innings of work.

Nolan Ganter led the Shockers with three hits. The Shockers finished with just five hits on the night, all of which were singles.

The Shockers and Pirates continue the series on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm CT.