Scott’s Eighth-Inning Single Lifts Cats

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Brett Scott broke a 3-3 tie with a two-out single in the bottom of the eighth to drive in the eventual winning run as Kansas State took game one of a three-game series against No. 22 Oklahoma State, 4-3, Friday evening at Tointon Family Stadium. With the win, K-State improved its record to 12-11 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 play, while the Cowboys dropped to 17-7 overall and 3-4 in conference action.

Scott’s eighth-inning RBI was part of a 1-for-2, two-RBI effort. Junior Rob Vaughn, who kept the eighth inning alive with a single, was 3-for-4, while Dane Yelovich was 2-for-4.

The Cats led 3-1 with two in the third and one in the fourth. However, the Cowboys tied the game up in the top of the eighth on K-State starter Brad Hutt’s only mistake of the night. Matt Hague forced a two-out walk on a full count, which brought up Rebel Ridling, who hit the first pitch he saw over the left centerfield wall to tie the game at three apiece. Hutt came right back to record the final out of the inning as Donnie Webb popped up to end the inning.

With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Tenbrink walked on four-straight pitches against Oklahoma State reliever Matt Peck (0-1) and Tenbrink then stole second. Rob Vaughn followed and hit a ball into the hole on the left side, which was fielded by Cowboy shortstop Jordy Mercer, but Mercer had no play as Vaughn was save and Tenbrink moved to third. Scott came up and on a 0-1 delivery, took an outside pitch to opposite field through the right side for the winning run.

Hutt (3-2) was masterful through eight innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and striking out four. He was able to get out of a jam in the seventh inning as the Cowboys had runners on first and second with just one out, but the senior forced two-consecutive fly-ball outs to end the threat. The victory was the 21st of his career, bringing him within four of the school record.

Oklahoma State got on the board first with a run in the second inning. Webb hit a one-out single, stole second base and then moved to third on a fly out by Luis Flores. Tyrone Hambly followed with a double to left centerfield to give OSU the 1-0 lead.

K-State took the lead with a pair of runs in the third on just one hit. Scott led the inning off with a walk and moved to second on a bunt-single by Dane Yelovich. Carter Jurica followed with a sacrifice bunt, but reached on a throwing error by Oklahoma State starting pitcher Andrew Oliver, which allowed Scott to score and Yelovich to move to third. Adam Muenster followed and grounded into a double play, but Yelovich scored on the play.

The Wildcats got their third run of the night the very next inning. Jason King led the inning off with a walk, the fourth-straight inning K-State led off with a walk. He then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Tenbrink and went to third on Vaughn’s first single of the night. Tenbrink scored to give the Cats a 3-1 lead on Scott’s first RBI of the night when the senior laid down a sacrifice bunt.

K-State will be looking to collect its first Big 12 series win of the season on Saturday in game two of the three-game series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Tointon Family Stadium.