Kansas State’s unprecedented run in the NCAA tournament isn’t over yet, as the Wildcats beat SEMO, 7-2, to advance to the bracket’s super regionals.
With Ty Ruhl on the mound, the Wildcats controlled the Redhawks in an elimination game. K-State jumped out to an early 7-0 lead through three innings before turning to the bullpen to put the game away.
With the win, the Wildcats advance to the super regional section of the NCAA Tournament, where they will face Virginia in a best-of-three series.
Here are three takeaways from K-State’s win against SEMO.
RUHL’S RETURN TO FORM
At the beginning of the season, Ty Ruhl would be one of the team’s starters. However, an early injury derailed his season.
As K-State headed into the NCAA tournament, coach Pete Hughes mentioned that Ruhl had his best bullpen sessions. This certainly gave the Wildcats some positivity to send him out in a decisive game against SEMO.
Ruhl pitched just four innings in the win, but it was four quality innings to set the tone for the rest of the night. In 76 pitches, Ruhl allowed just two hits and struck out five.
K-State may have to turn to Ruhl again during the super regional — especially if the series goes to the final game — so his return to the mound is huge for the Wildcats and could prove to be the difference.
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DEEP BATS LEAD THE WAY
In K-State’s first two games, Kaelen Culpepper and Brady Day stole the show. The duo made big play after big play to start the regional and was a driving factor in most of their early success.
However, Brendan Jones and David Bishop opposed SEMO. The two combined for five hits and five RBIs, paving the way for the Wildcats’ opening score that set the tone for the rest of the night.
While K-State’s participation in the NCAA tournament will be dictated by its stars, getting solid performances from other bats like Jones and Bishop could set the tone for the entire lineup.
BULLPEN CLOSES THE DOOR
Tyson Neighbors went the distance against Arkansas, creating a situation where K-State could turn to the rest of its bullpen against SEMO.
And in the final five innings of the night, the combination of Cole Wisenbaker and Blake Dean set the tone, pitching four innings of two-run baseball to secure the Wildcats’ victory.
Neighbors will be used twice against Virginia, especially with the rest between games, but seeing Dean and Wisenbaker close the door is incredibly encouraging as it gives them a formidable three-headed offense to use.
