WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State starter Matthew Cuccias allowed just one run on five hits over 7.1 strong innings, powering the Shockers to a 5-1 win over Rice on Friday evening at Eck Stadium.

The start was the longest by any Wichita State pitcher this season, eclipsing the 7.0 innings turned in by Brady Hamilton on February 20 vs. Hawaii.

The Shockers (25-18, 9-7) seized control of the game early with three runs in the first two innings against Rice starter Tanner Wiggins (2-2). Nolan Ganter cracked a two-out solo homer in the first, then a Zeb Henry RBI single and Josh Wulfert double play grounder added two more in the second to stake Cuccias (4-2) to a quick lead.

That proved to be more than enough support for the righty, who did not walk a batter while striking out seven. He turned in five 1-2-3 innings before finally exiting with two on and one out in the eighth.

By that point, Wichita State had extended the lead to 5-0 courtesy of a towering two-run home run from Josh Wulfert, who hooked a fly ball just inside the left field foul pole and on to the roof of the Kosich Pavilion.

Rice (24-19, 7-9) got their lone run of the evening on a two-out RBI single from Paul Smith in the eighth, but Brady Pacha recovered to strike out pinch-hitter Mason Ashlock before stranding two more baserunners in a scoreless ninth.

Wichita State had four players finish with two hits: Wulfert, Ganter, Owen Washburn and Ethan Gonzalez. Zachary Daigre recorded three of Rice's seven hits to pace the Owls.

The Shockers and Owls continue the series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm CT.