In back-to-back games, Kansas State baseball has shown up against No. 15 Oklahoma State. After winning Game 1 in 12 innings, K-State dominated in a 7-2 victory to already claim the series victory.
After a first inning where the Wildcats had two players on base without any scores, the second looked up for K-State. Catcher Raphael Pelletier homered the ball toward right field to put the Wildcats up 1-0.
Defensively, starting pitcher Jackson Wentworth did not allow a single hit through the first four innings, facing 12 batters total. The bottom of the fourth saw another home run for Pelletier, his ninth of the season and first career two home-run game.
“It’s just a reflection of all my work and I’m proud of it.” Pelletier said.
The Cowboys earned its first hit of the game in the top of the fifth, ending Wentworth’s no-hit reign. Although things improved for Oklahoma State, no runs came in the fifth inning from either team.
In the top of the sixth, the Cowboys got on the board. Catcher Ian Daugherty homered the ball toward left field as Oklahoma State trailed by one with the Wildcats leading 2-1.
The Wildcats responded with a three-run inning in the bottom of the sixth. Pelletier continued to strive, earning a run off a hit from first baseman David Bishop. Infielder Jaden Parsons earned his first home run of the season, firing it toward right center. The homerun from Parsons allowed Bishop to earn a run of his own, giving K-State a 5-1 lead going into inning number seven.
Wentworth received a standing ovation from fans before being substituted to begin the seventh inning. The pitcher showed out, boasting a career-high eight strikeouts through seven innings.
“I just started smiling,” Wentworth said. “As soon as I got to the dugout all my emotions came out and my teammates were there to congratulate me.”
Pushing the lead further, second baseman Brady Day and center fielder Brendan Jones both earned runs in the bottom of the seventh, putting the Wildcats up 7-1.
The Cowboys mustered only one other run from Daughtery as K-State won the game 7-2.
The final game of the series takes place 3 p.m. Sunday.