MANHATTAN, Kan.— A hot start and a strong finish pushed the Rock Creek Mustangs into the Kansas Class 3A State Baseball Championship.&nbsp;Brooks Whaley pitched six innings, striking out eight, and allowing just one earned run and lifted Rock Creek past Minneapolis 8-3.&nbsp;The Mustangs scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back. Tallying 10 total hits, the Rock Creek offense fired on all cylinders, especially in innings following Minneapolis runs.&nbsp;The Lions scored one in the top of the fourth, but the Mustangs would answer back with three of their own to take a 6-1 lead. In the sixth, Minneapolis would score two more, but yet again the Mustangs would answer with two more.&nbsp;Daegen Vinduska came in to shut the door in the top of the seventh inning, shutting out the Lions to solidify the victory.&nbsp;Rock Creek will advance to play the winner of Frontenac and Garnett-Anderson County at approximately 5:45p.m. from Tointon Family Stadium in Manhattan.&nbsp;

Rock Creek advances to 3A State Championship