After a three-game skid ending the month of February, Kansas State Baseball hit its best stride of the budding season. The 20-7 win against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Sunday marks five straight wins for the Wildcats, a new best for the 2026 campaign.
Here's what you should keep an eye on through St. Patrick's Day as Kansas State starts their conference slate.
HOT: Kansas State offense, NOT: Kansas State and SDSU in close games
The Wildcats exploded for 20 runs in their series finale against SIUE, which included homers from Dee Kennedy (3), Ty Smolinski (2), Micah Kendrick (2), and Carlos Vasquez (1). The eight long balls mark a new Kansas State record for most hit in a game.
SCHOOL RECORD SHATTERED‼️@kennedee27 hits his 3rd home run of the day to break the school record for team home runs in a game.
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) March 8, 2026
B6 | K-State 20, SIUE 5 pic.twitter.com/DoiZ4DWk7x
The Wildcats' upcoming opponent on Wednesday, South Dakota State, is having tough luck in close games. Their last four contests have all been decided by one run, and three of them have been losses.
The Jackrabbits also lost a 19-18 slugfest to Incarnate Word, putting their one-score game record at 1-4 this season. Kansas State also struggles in this category with a 1-3 record, also in a four-game span.
HOT: Robby Bolin, NOT: Shintaro Inoue
Yes, this second section is exactly the same as the last one, but these two things haven't changed. Robby Bolin has been an on-base machine all season long, as he's reached in all 14 games he's started and recorded hits in nine of them.
Despite his .220 average, the senior has drawn eight walks and been hit by four pitches, putting his on-base percentage at a modest .371.
Shintaro Inoue continues to struggle at the plate, going 4-23 (.173) in his last six games. He collected six hits and drove in five runs during Kansas State's 4-0 start to the season, but hasn't made a consistent impact with the bat since.
HOT: Baylor at home, NOT: Kansas State on the road
On St. Patrick's Day, the Wildcats look to bring Baylor's good luck to an end, as the Bears have started their season undefeated at home through their first eight games. They host No. 23 West Virginia in a three-game series this weekend following a brief road trip to Sam Houston State.
Kansas State could stand to improve their road record as well, as they've dropped their only two games at a non-neutral site so far this year. A small sample size, yes, but 0-2 is still a goose egg in the win column.
Bookmark Jug of Snyder and follow us on X with the username @JugofSnyder and Facebook @ksujugofsnyder.