Pitcher Austin Haley (24) throws a pitch to start off the game against the South Dakota Jackrabbits.
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits didn't get a base hit until the top of the third inning, as Kansas State's pitching was dominant. More specifically, junior Austin Haley was dominant, striking out four batters while only allowing one hit through the first three innings.
"The story of the game was Austin Haley," K-State head coach Pete Hughes said. "The kid hasn't been out there in a long time, but his head is always in the game for every single pitch, even when he's not in the game."
Both teams had trouble getting base hits early on. That was until the bottom of the third when the Wildcats' catcher Bear Madliak and shortstop Dee Kennedy both reached base.
Up to bat with two outs, right fielder AJ Evasco put the ball in play and reached second on an error by South Dakota State's first baseman. The error allowed Kennedy to advance to third, and sent Madliak home for the first run of the game. This was the only run to come out of the bottom of the third, as the 'Cats led 1-0.
After another runless inning for the Jackrabbits, K-State went right back to work for the bottom of the fourth. The inning started well, as designated hitter Micah Kendrick stole second and left fielder Carlos Vasquez was walked.
Center fielder Robby Bolin added fuel to the fire, hitting a single and loading the bases for the Wildcats with zero outs. Following this, Madliak would also walk, scoring Kendrick while still keeping the bases loaded.
The run increased K-State's lead to two and caused the Jackrabbits to make a pitching change. Avon Barney would take over on the mound for a vulnerable South Dakota State team.
The walking Wildcats started to become a theme, as second baseman Shintaro Inoue was the third player to walk in the bottom of the fourth, extending K-State's lead to 3-0.
"He's [Inoue] had some really good swings," Hughes said. "He just hasn't gotten paid off. Honestly, I don't even worry about him. He's such a good hitter, and his swing is so simple."
The Wildcats' offensive dominance continued, as Kennedy hit a single right up the middle, reeling in Bolin for the fourth and final K-State run of the inning. The Wildcats now had a 5-0 edge entering the fifth.
The majority of the game's remaining innings were quiet, but a little noise came in the bottom of the seventh, as K-State again had the bases loaded, primarily due to walks.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Wildcats performed almost exactly like they did in their dominant fourth inning. Kendrick, Vasquez and Bolin each scored their second run of the game, and Smolinski earned his first of the game. The 'Cats now led 9-0 entering eighth inning.
The big lead was too much for the Jackrabbits to hop over, however, and the Wildcats ultimately emerged victorious, 9-0.
"Tonight was the toughest day to play against a gritty South Dakota team," Hughes said. "It was uncomfortable out there; you have to be disciplined and can't let the cold factor into your performance. I knew we were going to be in good shape because our preparation was on point."