Box Score UNO-KSU Box Score
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State scored eight runs during the first three innings on way to claiming a 9-1 victory over the University of New Orleans on Friday night at Tointon Family Stadium.
KSU (29-20) scored six runs in the first inning while tallying five hits and taking advantage of four UNO (3-45) errors in the frame. Privateer second baseman Chris Geronimo was responsible for three of the miscues.
The Wildcats added two more runs their offensive output in the third inning, including a solo home run by Mike Kindel. Kindel was the only player in the KSU lineup to put together multiple hits, posting a 2-for-4 effort that included two runs and two RBIs.
The third inning was the final appearance on the mound for UNO starter Tyler Sanders (1-10), who allowed eight runs – three earned – on seven hits while facing 21 batters.
With Sanders in the dugout, Cory Hoffman pitched admirably in relief for the Privateers.
Hoffman allowed one hit and struck out four in his first four innings of relief work. The sophomore's last of five innings was a productive one for KSU, who scored a run on two hits.
KSU starter Kyle Hunter (5-4) picked up his first win since Apr. 22 by scattering three hits over eight innings while striking out five. Hunter's performance on the mound included a stretch from the third inning to the eighth in which UNO failed to pick up a hit.
The Privateers scored their lone run of the game in the ninth off of Wildcats' reliever Josh Fasola.
Jake Palmisano reached base on a walk and advanced to second when Fasola hit Nolan Church by pitch. Blake DesRoches followed the pair with a single that was coupled with an error to bring Palmisano home.
Church, Andrew Garcia and Blake LeBlanc had matching 1-for-3 performances at the plate to lead UNO.
The three-game series between the two teams continues on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Live video, audio and stats for the game and Sunday's 1 p.m. contest are available on KStateSports.com.
