K-State Takes Series Opener, 6-1

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Following six scoreless innings, Kansas State tallied four runs in the seventh and another two in the eighth to take the series opener over No. 30 Baylor, 6-1, Friday evening at Tointon Family Stadium. With the win, Kansas State improved to 16-16 overall and 3-7 in Big 12 Conference play, while Baylor fell to 20-13 overall and 6-7 in league action.

Both starting pitchers were masterful through the first six innings as Kansas State’s Brad Hutt no-hit the Bears through five and at one point retired 11-straight batters. Raynor Campbell broke up no-hitter with a fifth-inning single, but was caught stealing to end the inning and Hutt still had faced the minimum through five. The senior righty also retired the first two batters in the sixth before another single, but forced a fly out to end the frame.

Baylor starter Kendal Volz (3-3) was also effective through six innings, allowing three hits through the first two frames, but shut down the Cats in order in the next four, recording six strikeouts during that span. Kansas State had the bases loaded in the second inning on a base hit, a fielder’s choice another single and a walk, but was unable to capitalize and came away empty handed.

Baylor broke up a scoreless game in the top of the seventh with a leadoff home run by Beemer Weems. The Bears could have done more damage, however, as Weems was followed with a one-out hit-by-pitch, a fielder’s choice and a two-out single to put runners on first and second, knocking Hutt out of the game. Chase Bayuk (1-2) came on in relief and, in two pitches, forced a groundout to get out of the inning.

The Wildcats responded with four runs in the seventh to take the lead and never looked back. Drew Biery hit a one-out single through the middle to start the rally. Rob Vaughn was next and hit a ground ball to Baylor third baseman Shaver Hansen, but the sophomore threw over his first baseman’s head for an error, allowing Vaughn to reach safely and Biery to move to third. Brett Scott followed with a base hit to drive in Biery and tie the game at one apiece.

Volz remained in the game and faced Byron Wiley, who pinch hit for Dane Yelovich, and the junior delivered with a single through the right side, scoring Vaughn from third and moving Scott to second. Jordan Cruz followed Wiley’s lead and hit another RBI single through the right side to give K-State a 3-1 lead, which would be the end for Volz. Mace Thurman came in from the pen to stop K-State’s momentum, but threw three-straight balls to Adam Muenster and then intentionally walked the sophomore to load the bases with just one out. Nate Tenbrink hit into a fielder’s choice, but did drive in the fourth run of the inning to give Kansas State a three-run lead.

The Wildcats punched across another two runs in the eighth when Jason King and Biery recorded back-to-back doubles to lead off the inning, the latter scoring King. Biery advanced to third on a Scott groundout and scored on a wild pitch by Baylor reliever Nick Cassivechia.

Trevor Hurley picked up his first save of the season after throwing two innings of no-hit ball, walking two batters and striking out another two.

King and Biery led the Wildcats offensively, each going two-for-four with a double, while Biery picked up an RBI. Muenster was one-for-three on the night, extending his hitting streak to 17 games, which is tied for fifth longest in school history.