WICHITA, Kan. – Kansas State scored 12 runs over the first four innings and never looked back, downing Wichita State 12-1 on Monday night at Eck Stadium.

The Wildcats (18-17) struck first just three batters into the game, as Dominic Johnson drew a leadoff walk, advanced to third on a single from Orlando Salinas, and scored via a wild pitch to make it 1-0. Four more runs crossed in the second; Jeff Heinrich drew a bases-loaded walk, an error scored a second run, and a pair of run-scoring groundouts made it 5-0 Kansas State.

All five runs were charged to Wichita State starter Robert Cranz (0-2) who recorded just three outs before being relieved by Ryan Stuempfig. The Wildcats continued the offensive with a five-run third inning, capped by a two-run single off the bat of Josh Nicoloff.

A Heinrich double and Johnson sacrifice fly in the fourth made it 12-0 in favor of the Wildcats.

Kansas State starter German Fajardo (2-1) was excellent, allowing just two hits over five scoreless innings while striking out four to pick up the win. Reliever Ben Weber struck out four over three shutout frames.

The Shockers (13-23) broke up the shutout in the ninth. Payton Tolle led off the inning with a double, then one batter later came around to score on a double from Jordan Rogers.

Wichita State got solid relief work from Creighton Hansen, Spencer Hynes and Foster Gifford, who combined for four innings of one-hit, shutout relief. Hansen struck out the side in his final inning in the seventh. 

The Shockers make the short trip south to Norman on Tuesday for a midweek game at Oklahoma. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm.