The Wichita State Shockers lost their game against the Arizona State Sun Devils on Wednesday night to finish the series. The Shockers were unable to recover from a four-point deficit in the top of the first inning.

After a promising start to the first inning with WSU starting pitcher Zach Beringer getting a strikeout and a popout to right field, the Sun Devils countered with an offensive attack. Two walks and a single left the bases loaded for a right field hit by Trevor Allen to bring in three runs for ASU.

Nate Causey followed up with another RBI on a single to right field. Tyler Baker then hit another single to right field to advance Causey.

The Shockers stopped the attack on a groundout to first base after Aaron LaBrie was brought in to relieve Beringer.

“We put ourselves in a hole early in the first,” said Shockers outfielder Joe Haddox. “We couldn’t fight our way back.”

The Shockers showed some promise to fight back early in the bottom of the second after ASU walked Erik Harbutz and Mikel Mucha with one out. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough as the Sun Devils were able to lay down a double play off of Dayne Parker to finish the inning leaving the Shockers scoreless.

ASU started the bottom of the third inning by striking out Joe Haddox but the Shockers fought back with singles by Cody Bobbit and Garrett Bayliff.

Bobbit stole third base to bring the Shockers within scoring distance but was left stranded after a popout to left field by Tyler Baker.

WSU finally added a point to the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth after Tyler Baker hit a long shot to center field with bases loaded resulting in an out for him but driving in an RBI in the process brining the score to 4-1.

The Shockers left two runners stranded after a strikeout on Johnny Coy ended the inning.

The Shockers continued to fight back by starting the bottom of the sixth inning with a double by Erik Hurbutz. Hurbutz advanced to third on a groundout by Daniel Kihle before scoring on a groundout to second by Tanner Dearman.

Cody Bobbit grounded out to first base to end the inning leaving Joe Haddox stranded after successfully stealing second base.

The Shockers weren’t able to put any more points on the board after the bottom of the sixth inning.

“Getting that key hit with guys in scoring position,” was the biggest problem, Haddox said.

There was more trouble in the air as the top of the seventh started out rough for the Shockers after walking Drew Stankiewicz but turned around after a visit to the mound calmed pitcher Brandon Peterson enough to strike out Dalton DiNatale. The Shockers got a flyout to right field and a groundout to first.

The Shockers brought in pitcher Foster Vielock to start the eighth inning. James McDonald responded by hitting an infield single to get the Sun Devils on base. Vielock struck out Max Rossiter. McDonald didn’t stay on base long as he was caught stealing second. The Sun Devils rounded out the inning with a groundout to first base.

Johnny Coy got the Shockers off to a promising start after sending a shot into center field to get on base with a single. Coy didn’t stop there. He stole second base with one ball and one strike to Erik Harbutz and stealing third base as Kirk Tanner came to a full count. Coy was left stranded as Tanner was struck out however.

The Shocker’s start their next series 6:30 p.m. Friday against Indiana State at Eck Stadium.