MANHATTAN, Kan. (Interstat) — Micah Kendrick’s three-run homer capped a seven-run fifth inning as the Kansas State Wildcats rallied from an early deficit to defeat the SIU Edwardsville Cougars 8-4 on Saturday at Tointon Family Stadium.

The Wildcats, who won the series opener 14-5 on Friday, improved to 9-3 overall. The Cougars fell to 5-10.

SIU Edwardsville seized the lead in the third inning against Kansas State starter Tanner Duke. Kannon Kamp walked, advanced to second on a passed ball and moved to third on a bunt single by Daniel Gierer. Shortstop Chase Bloomer then launched a three-run homer to left field, giving the Cougars a 4-1 advantage.

Kansas State had scored its first run in the opening inning when Grant Gallagher’s RBI single plated Dee Kennedy. The Wildcats then chipped away in the fifth, capitalizing on Cougars’ pitching and defensive miscues to ignite their decisive rally.

Trailing 4-2, Kennedy led off the fifth with a single and AJ Evasco walked, ending the day for SIUE starter Tim Teixeira. Reliever Wyatt Doak entered and, after a sacrifice bunt, saw Shintaro Inoue ground out to second to score Kennedy and make it 4-3. A walk and a double steal allowed Evasco to steal home, tying the game.

After another walk, Kendrick stepped to the plate. The designated hitter, who had been in a recent slump going 1 for 9 over his previous four games, connected on a three-run blast to right field, putting the Wildcats ahead 7-4. The inning continued as Nick Bolin singled, stole second and scored on a double by Kyan Lodice to extend the lead to 8-4.

The seven-run inning was the most important sequence of the game, completely reversing momentum after the Cougars had held a multi-run lead. Kansas State sent 11 batters to the plate in the frame, which featured two SIUE pitching changes.

Kendrick finished 2 for 4 with the home run and three RBIs to lead the Wildcats’ 11-hit attack. Kennedy and Evasco each had two hits and scored two runs. Lodice and Gallagher each drove in a run.

Bloomer’s home run accounted for three of the Cougars’ four runs. SIUE managed just five hits total, with Gierer going 2 for 3. The Cougars added a final run in the ninth when Brenden Fry tripled and scored on Kamp’s RBI single.

Matt Flores earned the win in relief for Kansas State, pitching three scoreless innings after replacing Duke. Tazwell Butler recorded the final out. Teixeira took the loss for SIU Edwardsville.

The teams conclude their three-game series on Sunday.