Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
GREENVILLE, N.C. — Wichita State jumped out to a 7-0 lead in game one and a 3-0 lead in game two but allowed 11 unanswered runs in both games to drop both ends of a doubleheader to #9 East Carolina by scores of 11-7 and 11-4 on Saturday at Clark-LeClair Stadium.
Game One
After a pair of scoreless frames to open the twin bill, the Shockers exploded for seven runs in the top of the third inning. Mauricio Millan was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, followed by an infield single from Jordan Rogers. Dayvin Johnson then sliced a ball down the left field line that tucked just inside the foul pole for an opposite field grand slam and a 6-0 lead. Derek Williams capped the barrage with a solo home run, the first time this season Wichita State has hit back-to-back home runs.
The 7-0 lead did not last for long, however, as East Carolina immediately responded with five runs in the home half of the inning and then scored one in the fourth, three in the fifth and two in the sixth to grab an 11-7 lead. Caleb Anderson (1-3) was charged with the loss, allowing three runs over 2.0 innings in relief after starter Tyler Dobbs was knocked from the game after 2.2 innings.
East Carolina starter Zach Root (6-0) recovered from the seven-run inning to complete 5.0 frames and earn the victory, allowing eight hits while striking out one and walking one. Danny Beal and Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman combined for four scoreless innings in relief to close out the win for the Pirates.
Eight different Shockers recorded one hit apiece in the contest.
Game Two
Once again the Shockers seized the early advantage, striking thrice in the top of the first inning on an error, a balk, and a sacrifice fly from Brayden Luikart. The lead lasted until the bottom of the fourth, when East Carolina tied the game at 3-3 on a three-run homer from Joey Berini. Berini then put the Pirates in front in the fifth with a run-scoring single, followed by a two-RBI knock from Colby Wallace that made it 7-4.
East Carolina put the game out of reach with a four-run seventh and a Cam Clonch solo homer in the eighth that swelled the lead to 11-3. Ryan Callahan pulled a run back in the top of the ninth with a solo home run, his first with Wichita State.
Tommy LaPour (3-2) was tagged with the loss, allowing five runs over 4.2 innings. Shocker pitchers managed just one strikeout in the game.
Aaron Groller (2-0) picked up the win with two scoreless innings out of the ECU bullpen. Five Pirates relievers allowed just one run over the final seven innings.
Wichita State returns to action on Tuesday night at Oklahoma. First pitch from Norman is scheduled for 6:30 pm.