MANHATTAN, Kan. – On a blustery Wednesday that featured a low of 15 degrees and greater than 20 MPH winds, home field advantage was in full effect as Kansas State blew past the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team for a 14-3 victory at Tointon Family Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Wildcats (8-4) scored 12 of their 14 runs over the third and sixth innings, capitalizing on a multitude of miscues by the Cardinals (8-6). Uncharacteristically, UIW surrendered nine walks and three hit batters, while committing three significant fielding errors that resulted in runs for K-State.
 
The day began with a pair of scoreless innings, before the Wildcats broke the stalemate in the third. K-State took advantage of three walks, one hit-by-pitch and one error to secure a 4-0 advantage.
 
The Cardinals cut the lead in half in the fourth. Ryan Gonzalez walked, before advancing to second on a Ryan Flores single up the middle. A Sean Arnold single scored Gonzalez, before a single from Shea Gutierrez loaded the bases. A ground out by Ridge Rogers sent Flores home, before the Wildcats were able to end the inning.
 
A solo shot from K-State in the bottom of the frame put the Wildcats ahead, 5-2.
 
Lee Thomas and David Anaya notched back-to-back singles to start the fifth, but a pop up and a double-play allowed K-State to maintain a three-run lead.
 
A sac fly in the bottom of the inning gave the Wildcats a 6-2 advantage.
 
UIW chipped away at the lead with a sixth-inning run. Gutierrez walked, before advancing to third on a Rogers single to right center. During the next at bat, Rogers intentionally got caught in a run down, dodging defenders long enough to allow Gutierrez to come in.
 
Things fell apart for the Cardinals in the bottom of the frame as K-State erupted for eight runs to take a 14-3 advantage.
 
UIW went down in order in the seventh and the game was called.
 
LEADERS
 
Gutierrez led the Cardinals with a 2-for-2 outing and a run scored. Arnold and Rogers each contributed a hit and an RBI, while Flores finished 1-for-3 with a run.
 
Jake Biller paced the Wildcats, batting 3-for-4 with 6 RBIs and a run scored. Drew Mount hit 2-for-3 with 3 runs and 2 RBIs.

Jake Zatopek (0-1) took the loss, surrendering 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits through 2.0 innings on the mound. He struck out 2 and walked 3.
 
Caleb Littlejim (2-0) earned the win, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits through 4.0 innings of work. He retired 3 and walked 2.

UP NEXT
 
UIW opens Southland Conference play at home against rival Abilene Christian. The teams will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday, before closing out the weekend with a 1 p.m. finale on Sunday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals host a two-game midweek series with Maine, beginning Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Game two is set for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
 
To purchase tickets to any UIW Athletics home event, contact Ticket Sales Coordinator Alma Lara at 210-805-3012.
 
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