Kansas State baseball kicks off its weekend opener against Southeast Missouri State with a 2-1 win. The Wildcats and the Redhawks found themselves in a pitching duel, with both pitchers playing deep into the eighth inning.
Ace pitcher Owen Boerema got the start for the Wildcats on the mound, setting the tone for the speed of the game in the first inning and working out of a jam with bases loaded.
Boerema played a full seven innings. The lefty allowed three hits, one run and threw four strikeouts on the night. The Wildcats pitching only allowed one run off a deep centerfield home run from Jevon Mason.
Noah Niznik started on the mound for the Redhawks, matching Boerema by starting a full seven innings as well. In his appearance, Niznik allowed six hits, two runs and threw two strikeouts.
Despite early offensive success, the Redhawks were unable to sustain consistency past the first inning. Both defenses worked at full length all afternoon to limit baserunners.
The only scoring of the evening came from long drives: two home runs and one deep double.
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First baseman Roberto Pena continued his offensive production, recording one home run in the third to put the Wildcats on top 1-0. The Redhawks responded in the fifth with a home run from Mason.
Scoring finished in the seventh, starting with a double from Pena, setting up center fielder Brendan Jones to hit a single, sending Pena home.
The Wildcats face the Redhawks in Game 2 of the weekend at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, at Tointon Family Stadium.
