CLEARWATER, Fla. – After falling behind early, No. 4 seed Wichita State stormed back on the way to defeating top seed East Carolina, 14-4, at the 2024 American Baseball Championship presented by Regions on Thursday afternoon, May 23 at BayCare Ballpark.
 
The Pirates (41-14) will now face Rice in an elimination game on Friday, May 24 at 1 p.m. Eastern. The Shockers (31-27) will await the winner of that contest on Saturday, May 25 at 9 a.m. Eastern.
 
Wichita State’s Josh Livingston tied the Championship single-game record and seven RBI and became the 17^th player in Championship history to hit a pair of home runs in a single game.
 
Down 3-1, the Shockers scored seven runs in the top of the sixth, highlighted by a 3-run double by Lane Haworth and a 3-run home run by Livingston.
 
Livingston stepped up again in the seventh and hit a grand slam to right field to open up the game.
 
American Newcomer Pitcher of the Year Tommy LaPour (6-2) earned the win for Wichita State, allowing three runs in 6.2 innings of work with three strikeouts.
 
East Carolina used eight pitchers in the contest, with Chris Kahler (1-1) taking the loss.
 
2024 American Baseball Championship presented by Regions
BayCare Ballpark | Clearwater, Fla.
Championship Central
 
Schedule
Tuesday, May 21
Game 1: No. 4 Wichita State 8, No. 5 UAB 2 | Box Score | Highlights
Game 2: No. 1 East Carolina 12, No. 8 Rice 4 | Box Score | Highlights
Game 3: No. 7 Charlotte 9, No. 2 UTSA 5 (12 innings) | Box Score | Highlights
Game 4: No. 3 Tulane 14, No. 6 Florida Atlantic (7 innings) | Box Score | Highlights
 
Wednesday, May 22
Game 5: Rice 9, UAB 0 (UAB Eliminated) | Box Score | Highlights
Game 6: Florida Atlantic 12, UTSA 5 (UTSA eliminated) | Box Score | Highlights
 
Thursday, May 23
Game 7: Wichita State 14, East Carolina 4 | Box Score | Highlights
Game 8: Charlotte vs. Tulane | 47 minutes after Game 7 | ESPN+
 
Friday, May 24
Game 9: Rice vs. East Carolina | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Game 10: Loser of Game 8 vs. Florida Atlantic | 47 minutes after Game 9 | ESPN+
 
Saturday, May 25
Game 11: Wichita State vs. Winner of Game 9 | 9 a.m. | ESPN+
Game 12: Winner of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 10 | 47 minutes after Game 11 | ESPN+
Game 13: Wichita State vs. Winner of Game 11 (if necessary) | TBD | ESPN+
Game 14: Loser of Game 12 vs. Winner of Game 12 (if necessary) | TBD | ESPN+
 
Sunday, May 26
Game 15: Semifinal Winners | Noon | ESPNEWS/ESPN+
 
All times listed are Eastern.