GREENVILLE, N.C. – A two-run home run pushed No. 3 East Carolina past No. 2 Wichita State, 3-2, in the semifinals of the American Conference Championship Friday night.
Wichita State (35-17) managed just two runs against the Pirates after ECU shut out the Shockers in each of the final two games during the regular season series.
Both of Wichita State's runs came on solo home runs.
Ausha Moore belted her 23rd home run of the season, pushing her into sole possession of third on the single season home run list.
Mackenzie Rooney was responsible for the other homer, her seventh of the season.
Chloe Rhine doubled for the only other extra base hit for the Shockers.
Ryley Nihart (16-11) suffered the loss in 6.1 innings. She allowed two earned runs on eight hits, a walk and four strikeouts.
The Pirates put the first run on the board in the top of the third on an excuse me swing, two-out infield single.
Moore punched right back in the bottom of the third with a no-doubt solo home run to tie the game at 1-1.
A Rooney solo shot in the bottom of the fifth briefly put the Shockers in the lead, 2-1, but the Pirates responded with a two-run homer in the top of the sixth to jump back in front by a run.
That home run would prove to be the game winner after Wichita State came up short in the seventh after loading the bases with two outs.
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