From K-State Athletics
Canisius catcher William Krull recorded three hits and drove in five runs in the Golden Griffins’ 15-3 victory over K-State Tuesday night in the series opener at Tointon Family Stadium.
Krull went 3-for-5 to go with his five runs batted in for Canisius (5-14). Starting pitcher Andrew Fron struck out seven and allowed one earned run (three runs) on three hits, as he pitched into the sixth inning in earning the win.
K-State’s Zach Kokoska drove in two of the Wildcats’ (10-10) three runs and Jeffrey Boggess had a team-high two hits, including a double. Kokoska, who also started on the mound, suffered the loss after surrendering two runs on two hits in an inning.
Canisius brought 10 hitters to the plate in its six-run second to go with 11 batters in scoring six more in the seventh inning. Krull delivered a two-run single in both innings, as the Griffins tallied nine of their 12 hits between the two frames.
Following a one-out walk and a stolen base from Jake Burlingame, back-to-back doubles by Jacob Victor and Krull off Kokoska gave the Golden Griffins a 2-0 lead after the top half of the first.
In the second, six straight Canisius hitters reached base safely, as it scored six runs on four hits off reliever Kasey Ford. Victor produced an RBI walk while Krull delivered a two-run single.
After the second inning, Ford did not allow a base hit as he struck out five over three innings of relief.
K-State got its leadoff hitter on base in each of the first two innings via a walk, only to see them both wiped away with a double play. Fron faced the minimum through the game’s first three innings.
Thomas Hughes tallied the first Wildcat hit, a leadoff single, in the fourth inning. After a double by Will Brennan moved him to third, Hughes scored on a sacrifice fly by Cameron Thompson.
Kokoska drove in two runs with a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth. Kokoska brought home Hughes, who was hit by a pitch to begin the frame, and Boggess, who earlier singled to put the score at 9-3.
Dylan Vincent drove in two in the top of the seventh to go with Krull’s two-run single as part of the Griffin’s six-run seventh.
Canisius’ David Yankowski tossed scoreless innings of relief, picking up five strikeouts and allowing two hits. Three Griffins pitchers combined to strike out 14 Wildcat hitters in the game.
K-State reliever Luke Bay tossed a perfect inning and Eric Torres yielded one unearned run over 1 2/3 innings.
In his season debut, Luke Hauswirth threw two innings and struck out four with one unearned run against him.
The Cats went 1-for-13 (.077) with runners in scoring position while Canisius hit .450 (9-for-20) in the same situation.
K-State and Canisius conclude the two-game set Wednesday at Tointon Family Stadium at 3 p.m.
