Softball Drops Series Opener To Wichita State, 5-1

Friday, April 27

Greenville, N.C.

6:00 p.m.

East Carolina University

22-27, 0

(RV) Wichita State

28-17, 0

Wichita State

ECU

April 27, 2018 | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

GREENVILLE, N.C. – ECU out-hit the top batting team in the American Athletic Conference 8-6 Friday but could only muster a lone run as Wichita State took a 5-1 win in the teams' series opener at the ECU Softball Stadium. The Shockers are receiving votes in this week's national top 25 polls.

Team Records
Wichita State: 28-17, 10-6 AAC
ECU: 22-27, 7-9 AAC

How it Happened
Wichita State scored the game's first run in the top of the second, taking advantage of three walks and a hit batter to push ahead 1-0 through two complete. The Shockers added to the lead in the top of the fourth when with two outs, Mackenzie Wright hit a two-run home run to left field to make the score 3-0. Bailey Lange extended the visitors' lead to 4-0 with a two-out RBI double in the top of the fifth before senior Karlie Smith responded with a RBI single in the home half of the sixth to cut the lead to three. Wichita State completed the scoring in the top of the seventh with an unearned run when a pop up was dropped on the infield with two outs.

Pitchers of Record
WP – Bailey Lange (16-10)
LP – Whitney Sanford (8-12)

Top ECU Performers
Meredith Burroughs: 2-for-4, 9 Putouts
Ashley Weingartz: 2-for-3
Alex Mycek: 1-for-3, Run

Top Wichita State Performers
Mackenzie Wright: 2-for-3, Run, 3 RBI, Walk, HR
Madison Perrigan: 2-for-3, Run, Walk
Bailey Lange: 7.0 IP, 1 Run, 7 Hits, 0 Walks, 7 Strikeouts /// 1-for-3, Run, RBI, Walk, 2B

Things To Note

ECU fell to 0-2 against Wichita State in the teams' first meeting as members of the American Athletic Conference.
The Shockers scored all five of their runs with two outs on the board.
Wichita State took advantage of six walks and four hit batters by the Pirate pitching staff.
ECU struggled with runners on base, rapping out just one hit in 13 opportunities.

Up Next: The teams will reconvene Saturday at 2 p.m. for the middle game of the series.