Pitching took Tointon Family Stadium by storm Friday night, but offense was the story in Saturday’s matchup between Kansas State and Southeast Missouri. K-State baseball out-slugged the Redhawks 12-5, taking Game 2 and the series.
K-State moves to 30-18 on the season in the midst of an NCAA regionals hunt. The Wildcats remain tied for second place in the Big 12 with Oklahoma State.
Scoring for the Wildcats opened in the second inning, highlighted by an opposite-field grand slam by center fielder Brendan Jones.
The Redhawks spotted two runs in the top of the fourth, but K-State first baseman Roberto Pena homered in the bottom half to keep the Wildcats’ lead at a comfortable margin. K-State led 6-2.
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Errors plagued the Redhawks in the fifth as K-State added three more runs on just two hits, including a triple by second baseman Brady Day.
Southeast Missouri State fought back in the top of the sixth, plating three runs. However, the Wildcats had an answer in the bottom half once again. Pena launched his second home run, and third baseman Kaelen Culpepper sent one over the wall in left.
K-State added one more in the eighth, although the Wildcats could’ve added more after stranding three runners.
Starting pitcher German Fajardo (3-2) got the win for K-State, allowing five runs through six innings. Relievers Ty Ruhl and Kyler Heyne shut down the Redhawks in the final three innings.
K-State will go for the sweep at 1 p.m. Sunday at Tointon Family Stadium.
