K-State Drops Heartbreaker on Sunday

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Trevor Coleman’s solo homer in the top of the 12^th provided the winning run and Derek Bunker flied out to right with the tying run at second in the bottom half of the inning as Missouri clinched the series with Kansas State after rallying for a 7-6 win in 12 innings on Sunday.

The loss dropped the Wildcats to 22-10 overall and 4-5 in Big 12 play, while Missouri moved to 24-9 and 6-3.

K-State was one strike away from taking the win and the series in the ninth but a two-strike, two-out triple to right center by Brock Bond erased a 6-4 Wildcat lead and plated the tying runs. The hit was a big one as closer Daniel Edwards failed to nail down the win for the first time this season and also saw his scoreless relief streak snapped at 21.2 innings with that hit.

Kansas State, which left 13 men on base in the game, had several chances to win the game but could not come through with the key hit down the stretch. Jordan Cruz led off the bottom of the ninth with a single but was left stranded at second with one out after a strikeout and a ground out ended the threat.

After keeping Missouri off the board in the top of the 10^th, the Cats then put runners at first and third in the bottom half of the inning as singles from Eddie Vasquez and Rob Vaughn put the winning run at third base with just one out. But, Derek Bunker struck out looking and Kyle Livingston flied out to left to send the game to the 11^th inning.

After the Cats got out of a bases-loaded jam in the 11^th, Byron Wiley collected a two-out double to left to again put the winning run in scoring position, but Nate Tenbrink was called out on strikes to end the inning.

Coleman then delivered a solo homer off Tyler Ruch to lead off the 12^th and pitcher Scooter Hicks (3-0) again worked out of a little jam in the bottom half to end the game. Pinch hitter Brett Scott worked a one-out walk and moved to second on a wild pitch, but consecutive fly outs from Vaughn and Bunker ended the game.

Missouri broke through for three runs in the first two innings off starter Ben Hornbeck before the Cats answered back with four straight to take a 4-3 lead. Ruch’s first career homer, a two-run blast in the third, gave the Cats the 4-3 lead until Mizzou answered back with one in the fifth to tie the game at four.

The Cats then took the lead at 6-4 in the eighth as Tenbrink and Ruch each scored on wild pitches to give the Cats the advantage heading into the top of the ninth.

Ruch (2-1) also suffered the loss on the mound after surrendering the homer in the 12^th, while Missouri reliever Scooter Hicks (3-0) took the win after tossing 2.2 shutout innings and allowing just one hit.

Wiley and Vasquez led the Wildcat offense on Sunday, which out-hit Missouri, 14-12, in the game, with three hits each while Ruch and Vaughn each had two hits.

Kansas State continues play on Tuesday as it hosts Creighton at Tointon Stadium. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

– k-statesports.com –