STANFORD, Calif. - Taking advantage of three unearned runs in the fifth inning, Kansas State defeated Stanford 6-1 on Friday night at Sunken Diamond in the first of a four-game series.
Continuing its 11-game homestand, Stanford (4-9) had its three-game winning streak snapped in the first meeting between the schools since the 2011 NCAA Fullerton Regional.
Tied 1-1, Kansas State (7-5) scored three unearned runs with two outs and the bases loaded, as Cole Hinkelman and Kody Huff committed errors in the inning.
The Wildcats tacked on an RBI doubles in the sixth and a sacrifice fly in the eighth as insurance runs.
Stanford scored its only run in the bottom of the fourth when Tim Tawa scored on a wild pitch. The Cardinal produced only three hits, with Nick Brueser, Huff and Brock Jones delivering singles.
After making his first six appearances out of the bullpen, Nathan Fleischli opened and covered the first 1.2 innings while allowing one hit and one unearned run. Of Fleischli's 19 total pitches, 18 were strikes.
Fleischli then turned it over to regular Friday night starter Brendan Beck, who matched his career high with 11 strikeouts in six innings. Beck allowed six hits, two walks and five runs, only one of which was earned.
Stanford and Kansas State return to action Saturday for a doubleheader, with games scheduled for 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.