MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State is on a roll. The Wildcats just secured their seventh win in a row, shutting out South Dakota State 9-0 at Tointon Family Stadium. This victory puts their overall record at 13-4, matching the best start in head coach Pete Hughes’ eight seasons.
“It was a great win for many reasons,” Hughes said. “Playing five games in six days is tough. We had to use our whole pitching roster. Our guys stepped up, which is crucial for our bullpen depth.”
In this game, K-State racked up seven hits, with standout performances from catcher Bear Madliak and third baseman Grant Gallagher. Shintaro Inoue and Dee Kennedy each contributed with two RBIs. Surprisingly, the Wildcats drew a season-high of 12 walks.
“It was challenging out there; the wind was against us and it was cold. But our players showed toughness and embraced the moment,” Hughes added.
The highlight of the night was Austin Haley, making his first start for K-State. He pitched five scoreless innings, striking out five and allowing just two hits. “He’s been a great teammate, always ready when called upon,” Hughes noted. “Giving him the start was an easy choice. His efficiency was exactly what we needed during this hectic stretch of games.”
Haley began strong, retiring the first eight batters he faced. The Wildcats got on the board after a fielding error, then scored four more runs in the fourth inning, sparked by Kennedy’s RBI single. They capped off the game with four additional runs in the seventh, despite not recording a hit.
Game Highlights:
- K-State scored nine runs on seven hits, with no errors, leaving 10 runners on base.
- SDSU recorded five hits, one error, and stranded five.
- The Wildcats’ pitching staff shined, with Haley leading and three relievers contributing scoreless innings.
- The game featured 12 walks from SDSU, including several critical errors that allowed runs.
K-State now leads the series against SDSU 14-1 and has a current five-game winning streak against the Jackrabbits. This shutout, their first since March 8, 2024, further emphasizes the team’s strong performance under pressure.
Player Highlights:
- Madliak and Kennedy each extended their hitting streaks to five games.
- Gallagher notched his fourth multi-hit game this season.
Looking ahead, K-State will dive into Big 12 play on Friday, competing against Houston. With their current momentum, fans are eager to see how they’ll perform in the conference.
Expert Insight:
Sports analyst and former coach Tom Johnson notes, “K-State’s depth in pitching and their ability to adapt during tough conditions are signs of a team that’s not just playing well, but also growing. Strong teams often find ways to win, even when conditions are less than ideal.”
This focus on resilience and teamwork might give K-State the edge as they enter a challenging series ahead.
