Kansas State scored six runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by shortstop Dee Kennedy hitting a grand slam as the Wildcats powered their way to a nine-run win over Iowa, 15-6.
Starting pitcher James Guyette got the opening day nod and went five innings, striking out eight batters and allowing four earned runs. Guyette faced runners on base all afternoon but battled well to limit the damage.
Guyette was a bullpen arm for the Wildcats last season, but this year was asked to step in as a starter. The junior right-hander’s eight strikeouts versus the Hawkeyes were a career high, and his performance could land him as the Friday night starter going forward for K-State.
The Wildcats had no errors in the game, an impressive feat given it was opening day, and the Invitational is held on dirt, different from the turf that K-State is used to. Defense and timely pitching from the ‘Cats held Iowa down and prevented them from any big innings.
“We got a lot of work to do, but happy with our effort and our intensity,” K-State head coach Pete Hughes said. “I thought the difference in the game was how we handled two-outs offensively, we were very productive, and how we handled two-outs defensively.”
In the first inning, K-State got on the board, which set the tone for the rest of the game. Returning sophomore AJ Evasco lined a single to the opposite field, scoring two runners, and giving the Wilcats the early 2-0 lead. Evasco led K-State offensively, going four-for-five on the day.
The Wildcats would go on to score in every inning of the game except the fifth, constantly putting pressure on the Hawkeyes pitching staff. While K-State had 14 hits on the day, the Wildcats also drew 11 walks, showing good patience and the willingness to wait for their pitch before doing damage.
In the eighth inning, with K-State leading 13-6, redshirt freshman Chandler Murray was called on to pinch hit, and delivered a two-run home run. For the Hawaii native, the home run was the first in his collegiate career.
The Wildcats only needed to use four pitchers against the Hawkeyes, and two of them threw under 15 pitches. K-State plays four games in four days, so having pitchers available will be an advantage for them as they play out the rest of the Invitational.
