Highlighting a 14-run seventh inning, Dee Kennedy hit two home runs, including a grand slam, as Kansas State dominated Penn State 24-5 in seven innings.
For Kennedy, it was his second grand slam of the season and his second and third home runs of the year. The returning shortstop had seven RBIs on the day, moving his total to 13 on the year, as he has been a force in the middle of K-State head coach Pete Hughes’ lineup.
Over their first three games of the season, the Wildcats have scored 46 runs, which have been plated in a variety of ways. K-State has shown that they can hit the long ball, but have also shown discipline at the plate, taking walks, putting the ball in play and playing small ball to score runs as well.
The Wildcats’ efficiency and ability to score many runs make them a dangerous offensive team, something no other team has been able to solve early on this season. K-State also showed great depth in their order today, as every starter recorded a hit against the Nittany Lions.
While the Wildcat offense did well to score 24 runs, the pitching staff shone as well, allowing five runs on the afternoon. Though K-State pitchers would like to limit the base runners allowed, each pitcher so far this season has limited the damage and made big pitches when necessary to escape trouble.
Lincoln Sheffield, the Wildcats’ starter, went five innings — allowing just two earned runs and striking out five hitters. Sheffield is a returning starter from last year and will be a key piece in the rotation this season as well.
“Obviously, you could talk about Dee Kennedy today, and what he did offensively, but I thought Lincoln [Sheffield] was awesome,” K-State head coach Pete Hughes said. “He picked up his teammates a couple times when we didn’t play great defense for him, and that’s what senior leadership does.”
The Wildcats only used three pitchers on the day, meaning when they go into their final matchup against Air Force, a large majority of their pitching staff should be ready to go if needed in a tight game.
At the plate, K-State got good performances from outfielder Robby Bolin, who was 3-3 with two walks and two runs scored, and infielder Shintaro Inoue, who went 3-6 with two RBIs. The Wildcats also got multi-hit games from outfielders AJ Evasco and Kyan Lodice, as well as designated hitter Micah Kendrick.
K-State’s offense has been as dominant as ever, and that could lead to a very exciting 2026 season. The Wildcats will finish up the MLB Desert Invitational against Air Force on Monday at 2 p.m. Tanner Duke is the scheduled starter as K-State looks to remain unbeaten.