Kansas State University Athletics
Monday, February 22
Surprise, AZ
11 a.m.
Kansas State University
2-2
6
vs
1
Gonzaga
2-2
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4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
K-State
0
0
0
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1
6
9
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Gonzaga
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
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1
4
0
Ford, Goodwin Lead Cats to 6-1 Win Over Gonzaga
Feb 22, 2021 | Baseball
SURPRISE, Ariz. – Senior starter Kasey Ford tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings and freshman Nick Goodwin delivered three hits in K-State's 6-1 victory over Gonzaga in the finale of the Sanderson Ford College Classic at Surprise Stadium Monday.
Ford, making his 28th career start for K-State (2-2), struck out three and allowed just four hits in earning the win. Goodwin led the Wildcats with a 3-for-5 effort while driving in two runs. Kaden Fowler and Cameron Thompson each tallied two hits, with Thompson driving in a pair to help end a two-game skid.
"A much-needed win, "said head coach Pete Hughes. "I know it's early in the season, but it was a much-needed win in my mind. After a heartbreak loss (on Sunday), it gets guys feeling good getting on the plane back home."
Ford logged his longest outing since the 2018 season and worked his way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the second inning. It marked the 10th victory in Ford's career.
"I'm so proud of that kid," Hughes said of Ford. "He's worked his tail off, he's a real pitcher at this level. He's struggled a little but to get there, but he's defined three pitches and he's able to slow it down in a game situation. But he was awesome today, he had command of all three pitches and worked both sides of the plate. When we needed a win, and we went to the big captain for it."
The scoreboard saw only zeros until the Wildcats broke through in the top of the sixth inning. Kamron Willman drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on a single from Dom Hughes. Thompson delivered an RBI single before Dylan Phillips capped the three-run inning with a two-RBI single.
The Cats tacked on a pair in the seventh, pushing the lead to five runs on a Goodwin single.
Goodwin finished the weekend leading the team in all three slash categories, posting a .417/.611/.500 line.
"Nick Goodwin, he's playing like a veteran," Hughes added. "Nothing phases him, and the game is real slow for him right now."
After a Gonzaga sacrifice fly in the eighth, Goodwin registered his second RBI single of the game, scoring Thompson in the top of the ninth. Thompson doubled earlier in the inning to account for K-State's only extra-base hit.
Thompson, with 216 career base hits, sits just two hits away from moving into 10th in K-State history. He made his 188th consecutive start, which moves him into 10th place in the Wildcat record books.
"To have Cam Thompson and Kasey come through for us, that's why those guys came back," Hughes finished.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Nico Rodriguez inherited the bases loaded with two outs. In his K-State debut, Rodriguez picked up the save after forcing Tyler Rando into a game-ending fly out after four pitches.
Phillips also threw an inning of relief, moving to the mound from first base in the eighth inning with two runners on base.
Five Wildcat relievers combined to hold Gonzaga (2-2) hitless over 3 1/3 innings. The bullpen did issue six walks with one run allowed.
K-State did not allow a hit with runners in scoring positing, limiting the Bulldogs to 0 for 7 and forcing 13 stranded baserunners. The Cats offense hit .417 (5 for 12) with runners in scoring position.
Gonzaga's Michael Spellacy suffered the loss after giving up two earned on three hits while recording only one out. Starter Trystan Vrieling was forced out of the game with an injury after throwing just four pitches.
Tyler Rando led the Bulldogs with two hits, going 2 for 4 with a double and a run batted in.
K-State's home opener is set for Friday, as the Cats will host Western Michigan for three games at Tointon Family Stadium. All three games will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with radio coverage on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). Fans can also catch live, free audio at K-StateSports.com/watch.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
NOTES
Ford, making his 28th career start for K-State (2-2), struck out three and allowed just four hits in earning the win. Goodwin led the Wildcats with a 3-for-5 effort while driving in two runs. Kaden Fowler and Cameron Thompson each tallied two hits, with Thompson driving in a pair to help end a two-game skid.
"A much-needed win, "said head coach Pete Hughes. "I know it's early in the season, but it was a much-needed win in my mind. After a heartbreak loss (on Sunday), it gets guys feeling good getting on the plane back home."
Ford logged his longest outing since the 2018 season and worked his way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the second inning. It marked the 10th victory in Ford's career.
"I'm so proud of that kid," Hughes said of Ford. "He's worked his tail off, he's a real pitcher at this level. He's struggled a little but to get there, but he's defined three pitches and he's able to slow it down in a game situation. But he was awesome today, he had command of all three pitches and worked both sides of the plate. When we needed a win, and we went to the big captain for it."
The scoreboard saw only zeros until the Wildcats broke through in the top of the sixth inning. Kamron Willman drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on a single from Dom Hughes. Thompson delivered an RBI single before Dylan Phillips capped the three-run inning with a two-RBI single.
The Cats tacked on a pair in the seventh, pushing the lead to five runs on a Goodwin single.
Goodwin finished the weekend leading the team in all three slash categories, posting a .417/.611/.500 line.
"Nick Goodwin, he's playing like a veteran," Hughes added. "Nothing phases him, and the game is real slow for him right now."
After a Gonzaga sacrifice fly in the eighth, Goodwin registered his second RBI single of the game, scoring Thompson in the top of the ninth. Thompson doubled earlier in the inning to account for K-State's only extra-base hit.
Thompson, with 216 career base hits, sits just two hits away from moving into 10th in K-State history. He made his 188th consecutive start, which moves him into 10th place in the Wildcat record books.
"To have Cam Thompson and Kasey come through for us, that's why those guys came back," Hughes finished.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Nico Rodriguez inherited the bases loaded with two outs. In his K-State debut, Rodriguez picked up the save after forcing Tyler Rando into a game-ending fly out after four pitches.
Phillips also threw an inning of relief, moving to the mound from first base in the eighth inning with two runners on base.
Five Wildcat relievers combined to hold Gonzaga (2-2) hitless over 3 1/3 innings. The bullpen did issue six walks with one run allowed.
K-State did not allow a hit with runners in scoring positing, limiting the Bulldogs to 0 for 7 and forcing 13 stranded baserunners. The Cats offense hit .417 (5 for 12) with runners in scoring position.
Gonzaga's Michael Spellacy suffered the loss after giving up two earned on three hits while recording only one out. Starter Trystan Vrieling was forced out of the game with an injury after throwing just four pitches.
Tyler Rando led the Bulldogs with two hits, going 2 for 4 with a double and a run batted in.
K-State's home opener is set for Friday, as the Cats will host Western Michigan for three games at Tointon Family Stadium. All three games will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with radio coverage on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). Fans can also catch live, free audio at K-StateSports.com/watch.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- K-State scored six runs on nine hits with zero errors and eight left on base.
- Gonzaga scored one run on four hits without an error and stranded 13 baserunners.
- Monday's nine hits were a season best for K-State.
- Ford had his longest start since 2018 with is 5 2/3 innings of work.
- Ford allowed four hits and four walks while striking out three.
- Ford earned the 10th win of his K-State career.
- Goodwin, Phillips and Thompson all had two RBI in the win.
- Goodwin paced the offense with three hits, while Fowler and Thompson each added two.
- Goodwin finished the weekend leading the team in all three slash categories, posting a .417/.611/.500 line.
- Thompson's ninth-inning double was the Cats' only extra-base hit of the day.
- Rodriguez collected the save in his K-State debut, inheriting the bases loaded with two outs in the ninth.
- In total, K-State pitchers issued 10 walks while striking out four.
- K-State went 5 for 12 (.417) with runners in scoring position.
- Gonzaga was 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.
NOTES
- The all-time series is now tied 1-1, as the teams split the two meetings in Arizona.
- K-State avenged Saturday's 17-5 loss to Gonzaga with Monday's victory.
- Goodwin had hits in three of his first four games for K-State.
- Thompson made his 188th consecutive start for the Wildcats (10th all-time).
- Thompson (216) is just two hits away from ranking in the top-10 in hits in K-State history.
Cats Win#KStateBSB pic.twitter.com/4EW6ONux71
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) February 22, 2021
Monday Funday 😺☀️ #KStateBSB pic.twitter.com/iDeVRIm5aA
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) February 22, 2021
.Big Country with a solid outing against the Zags, His longest start since 2018
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) February 22, 2021
📊 5.2 IP, 3 K, 0 ER#KStateBSB x @kc_ford12 pic.twitter.com/zTHrQ5chBR
Dylan Phillips takes a two-strike changeup to right field and scores two as the WIldcats are now up 3-0 on Gonzaga.
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) February 22, 2021
🎥 @FloBaseball#KStateBSB pic.twitter.com/lxJJqAqEov
Cam rips a single to deep left to put the 'Cats up 1-0 #KStateBSB x @T10Cambo pic.twitter.com/K03XXifqOd
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) February 22, 2021
Ohhh, don't do it.
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) February 22, 2021
Fowler turns a double play and gets the runner at home to help the Cats escape a bases-loaded jam in the second.
🎥 @FloBaseball pic.twitter.com/b1c6AYV3le
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ford, Kasey (1-0)
L: SPELLACY, Michael (0-1)
S: Rodriguez, Nico (1)
Batting:
2B: Thompson, Cameron 1
RBI: Thompson, Cameron 2 ; Goodwin, Nick 2 ; Phillips, Dylan 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Hughes, Dom 1 ; Thompson, Cameron 2 ; Carinci, Daniel 1 ; Willman, Kamron 2
CS: Carinci, Daniel 1
HBP: Ceballos, Chris 1
Batting:
2B: RANDO, Tyler 1
RBI: RANDO, Tyler 1
SF: RANDO, Tyler 1
Base Running:
RUNS: HARRIS, Brett 1
HBP: YAKE, Ernie 1 ; MACHTOLF, Jack 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
0
H
3
RBI
2
rf/lf
AB
5
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ BaseballOF/C
/ BaseballINF
/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
OF/LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
INF
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