No. 16 ECU shuts out No. 18 Wichita State 5-0 to clinch series

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Tyler Smith tossed a career-best 7.1 shutout innings, while Connor Litton belted his team-leading fifth home run helping No. 16 ECU (20-6, 4-2) to a 5-0 American Athletic Conference shutout win over No. 18 Wichita State (19-6, 1-2) Saturday afternoon at Lewis Field inside Clark-LeClair Stadium.

How It Happened:

For the second-straight game the Pirates jumped out to an early lead scoring a run in the fourth frame for a 1-0 advantage. With runners on the corners and one out, Litton grounded into a 6-4-3 double play where Spencer Brickhouse crossed home from third for the game’s first run. The Pirates added three runs in the fifth thanks to a couple of errors by Wichita State. Bryant Packard’s RBI single to left field plated Chandler Jenkins for the first run. A passed ball by Connor Lungwitz allowed Nick Barber to score while Brady Lloyd moved to second and Packard to third. After Brickhouse was intentionally walked to load the bases, Jake Washer’s RBI ground out pushed across Packard for a four-run lead, 4-0. Litton’s solo blast to left field in the eighth capped the scoring on the day at 5-0.

Pirate Pitchers:

Smith (4-0) scattered five hits over his 7.1 frames while issuing one walk and striking out five. Ryan Ross (0.1 IP, 1 BB), Gavin Williams (0.1 IP, 1 BB) and Davis Kirkpatrick (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K) worked the final 1.2 innings preserving the Pirates fifth shutout of the season.

Shockers Staff:

Tommy Barnhouse (2-2) suffered the loss allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits with a pair of walks and three strikeouts. Cody Tyler (0.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R), Lungwitz (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 H), Keyland Killgore (0.1 IP) and Chandler Sanburn (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 Ks) each saw time out of the bullpen.

ECU Bats:

The Pirates managed just four hits on the day getting base knocks from Litton (home run), Lloyd (double), Packard (single) and Washer (single). Litton hit his second home run of the series in the eighth, while Packard drove in a run for the third run of the series.

Player-of-the-Game:

Smith registered his second quality start of the year with his 7.1 shutout frames … The sophomore retired Wichita State’s potent offense in order four of his seven full innings of work while punching out six on the day … Just one of his five hits went for extra bases (double to start the eighth) and he induced 15 ground ball outs.

Things To Know:

ECU picked up its second AAC series win of the season – both against Top 20 programs (UCF/No. 20, WSU/No. 18) …

In game three’s this year, the Pirates are 7-0, have recorded four shutouts and are outscoring their opponents 62 to 11 …

The win was also the Pirates sixth against nationally-ranked opponents this season (UNC, UCF and Wichita State – all twice) …

Litton extended his hit streak to eight games with his home run in the eighth …

Lloyd pushed his on-base streak to eight games with his double in the first inning …

Up Next:

ECU will continue its five-game home stand on Tuesday, April 3 when it plays host to UNC Wilmington with a 6:30 p.m. (ET) scheduled first pitch.