MANHATTAN, Kan. (KStateSports.com) – Brady Day mashed two home runs while K-State pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts, as the Wildcats took the series opener with a 10-1 win Friday afternoon at Tointon Family Stadium.
“Really proud of our guys for their effort,” said K-State head coach Pete Hughes. “Just clean baseball. That’s what we strive for, and tonight, we achieved it.”
Day, who went 4-for-4 in the game, launched his second and third home runs of the season as he registered his first multi-homer game. K-State’s pitching staff issued just one walk in the win against 13 strikeouts, including four from Owen Boerema and Cole Wisenbaker.
“Very proud of Brady. He got up in big moments and delivered. That’s what veteran and accomplished players bring to your lineup, and that’s what he brought to our lineup tonight,” said Hughes.
“A lot of guys came in from the bullpen, filled up the strike zone, and trusted their defense. That’s winning baseball. It’s a good way to start the series, and really good to build from.”
Right-handed reliever Andrew Evans earned his first collegiate win (1-0), surrendering the lone run on four hits. A native of Olathe, Kan., Evans retired nine of the 13 batters faced with a pair of strikeouts over three innings.
UML starter Brendan Williams (0-2) received the loss, allowing five earned runs on three hits over four innings of work.
THE RUNDOWN
After two scoreless innings, UML generated three hits in the third to score their lone run.
The Wildcats ended the drought in the bottom of the fourth led by a go-ahead homer by Day. With one out, Kaelen Culpepper lined a double inches away from the left field line to bring Day up to bat. The Hampstead, N.H., product unloaded on a two-one pitch for his second homer in three games.
K-State sent nine to the plate in the fifth on its way to scoring four runs and take control of the game, that included a two-run single by Day.
Day continued to stay hot as he hit a solo shot off the scoreboard in right field to extend the Cats lead to six, 7-1.
Brendan Jones drove in a pair of runs with his double into left field before Culpepper sent out his fourth home run of the season to lead the Cats to their third 10-plus run game.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State plated 10 runs on nine hits with no errors committed and seven left on base.
- UML scored one run with six hits, one error and six left stranded.
- Evans (1-0) earned the win in relief.
- K-State utilized five pitchers that struck out 13 batters and issued one walk.
- Day hit his first multi-homer game, going 4-for-4 at the plate with a game-high five RBI.
- Boerema and Wisenbaker each struck out four.
- Five players recorded a hit for K-State.
- Cats hit .400 (4-for-10) with runners in scoring position while UML hit .125 (1-for-8).
- K-State went 4-for-12 (.333) with two outs.
- Four of the Cats’ five runs came with two outs.
NOTES
- K-State won the first-ever contest between the Wildcats and River Hawks
- Day turned in his first career four-hit and multi-homer game with a career-high 5 RBI.
- Culpepper stretched his hitting streak out to 11, dating back to last season.
- Four starters have reached base in all eight games.
- Three Wildcats extended their on-base streaks to 10-plus, dating back to 2023 (Culpepper – 15), Jones – 12), (Pelletier – 11)
UP NEXT
Game two against the River Hawks is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Tointon Family Stadium.
