K-State Cruises to 10-1 Victory over Omaha - Kansas State University Athletics

Tuesday, March 21

Manhattan

7:30 PM

Kansas State University

University of Nebraska, Omaha

Mar 22, 2017 | Baseball

GAME RECAP

1

FINAL

10

NR
OMAHA
MAVERICKS
2-18 (0-3 Summit League)

NR
K-STATE
WILDCATS
15-6 (0-0 Big 12)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
UNO	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	1
KSU	1	2	6	1	0	0	0	0	0	10	14	1

W: Littlejim (1-0) L: Groth (0-1) S: None

Time of Game: 3:09
First Pitch: 6:35
Temperature: 61 F
Wind: ENE 17 mph
Attendance: 1,551

? GAMECENTER
? HIGHLIGHTS
? BOX SCORE

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas State baseball team broke open its game early with Omaha Tuesday night behind a six-run third inning that propelled K-State to a 10-1 victory at Tointon Family Stadium.

K-State (15-6) scored nine runs in the first three innings and scored all 10 runs within the first four innings to redeem last week's loss to Omaha (2-18).

"That's just baseball," said head coach Brad Hill after the game. "Last week, we weren't very sharp. Today, we were much better. We had a better approach and better at-bats that helped us put some runs on the board early."

The Wildcats opened the scoring early as Cameron Thompson led off the home first with a single and, after stealing second, easily scored off Jake Wodtke's single.

Thompson drove in two the very next inning with a two-run triple to push the Cats' lead to three after two innings.

The Mavericks responded with their lone run in the top of the third when Cole Thibodeau drove home Cole Patterson, who led off the inning with a double down the right-field line.

In the bottom of the third, the first eight Wildcat batters that came to the plate reached base safely as K-State scored six to put its lead at 9-1 after just three innings. Thompson added an RBI single in the inning on his way to his first four-RBI day as a Wildcat, ending the night 3-for-5.

The K-State bullpen shut down the Omaha offense the rest of the way, as six relievers combined to throw six shutout innings and allow just one hit to preserve the win for starter Caleb Littlejim. It was the freshman's first career victory as he went three pre-determined innings and struck out four.

K-State held Omaha to just four hits while striking out 13 Maverick hitters.

Getting the start in center field, Hanz Harker was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored.

Cleanup hitter Jake Scudder and designated hitter Trent McMaster each went 2-for-5.

The K-State will begin Big 12 play at Texas 13-9, 0-3 Big 12) on Friday as it begins a three-game set with the Longhorns Fans at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. All three games will be broadcast on the Longhorn network and fans can also listen to K-State baseball on KMAN 1350 AM, 93.3 FM and streaming free at k-statesports.com.

"We better be ready," Hill added. "This is the time when the schedule gets real tough, it's time to go get after it."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• K-State scored 10 runs on 14 hits and committed one error and left 11 runners on base. Omaha scored one run on four hits and committed one error while stranding nine baserunners.

• Four Wildcats had multi-hit games: Thompson (3), Harker (3), Scudder (2) and McMaster (2)

• It was McMaster's first multiple-hit game of his career while Thompson drove in a career-best four runs.

• Six different Wildcats drove in a run.

• K-State his .353 (6-for-17) with runners in scoring position while Omaha was just 1-for-13 (.077).

• The Wildcats were able to put their leadoff man on in six of eight innings in which they came to bat.

• Six relievers each tossed one shutout inning, including Hudson Treu who made his first appearance since the season-opening game vs. Ohio State.

• For the second straight game, Bryce Ward tossed a perfect inning of relief.

NOTES

• K-State now leads the all-time series with Omaha, 10-2, and is 9-1 all-time in Manhattan.

• K-State is 15-6 through 21 games. In 2016, the Cats were 11-10 after their first 21 played.

• This was the seventh time this season K-State has scored in double figures.

• It was the first time the Cats have reached double-figure runs without hitting at least one home run.