Cats Stay Hot, Crushes Penn State 24–5

Bat Cats took their third game over Penn State today in dominant fashion to improve to 3–0 to start the season. K-State scored 24 runs on 21 hits, fueled by a 14-run seventh inning to run-rule Penn State 24–5 in seven innings. All players had a great day for the Cats, but I will give a special shoutout to Dee Kennedy and Lincoln Sheffield.

Kennedy finished the day with four hits and seven RBIs, including two doubles and two home runs — one being his second grand slam of the weekend. One of Kennedy’s doubles hit off the top of the wall, and his grand slam was an absolute monster of a hit. He is showing that his speed and power are going to be a force this season. Too early to call him K-State’s Bobby Witt Jr.? Maybe, but an impressive start nonetheless.

Sheffield recorded the win, pitching five innings and allowing two earned runs while striking out five. Almost more impressive was his ability to let his defense work behind him, inducing three double plays. He also showed some fire after head coach Pete Hughes was ejected in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Coach Hughes wanted an explanation on a Penn State check swing, but neither the home plate umpire nor the first base umpire was having it. What seemed to be a manageable situation ended with the home plate umpire becoming very animated, insisting that Coach Hughes stay in the dugout. Coach still wanted an explanation for the missed call and looked to the first base umpire, who immediately ejected him. Coach Hughes then came out of the dugout to get further explanation, but the first base umpire walked out toward right field, refusing to talk.

At the end of the inning, Sheffield was fired up and had some words for the home plate umpire. It appeared that Sheffield and the rest of the K-State dugout received official warnings following the conclusion of the fourth inning — an event overshadowed by the Wildcats’ offensive clinic as they rolled to their third win of the weekend.

K-State looks to finish the long weekend with four wins tomorrow against Air Force at 2:00 p.m. CST. Air Force is 1–1 on the weekend and, at the time of this writing, is leading UConn 4–0 in the fourth inning. The Falcons also run-ruled Penn State to open the weekend and dropped their second game to Iowa, 4–3. The Cats will start Tanner Duke to wrap up the weekend.