Kansas State University Athletics
Saturday, April 3
Manhattan, KS
4 p.m.
Kansas State University
15-11, 2-4
10
vs
4
Texas Tech
20-6, 3-3
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9
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Texas Tech
0
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2
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K-State
3
0
0
0
5
0
2
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X
10
10
0
Wildcats Hammer No. 3 TTU, 10-4, to Clinch Series
Apr 03, 2021 | Baseball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Seven strikeouts over seven innings from starter Connor McCullough and four home runs from the offense added up to a K-State series victory over third-ranked Texas Tech, as the Wildcats claimed the series' rubber game 10-4 Saturday at Tointon Family Stadium.
K-State (15-11, 2-4 Big 12) produced seven extra-base hits in the series-clinching win, including home runs from Chris Ceballos, Nick Goodwin, Dylan Phillips and Cameron Thompson. The Cats hammered out seven homers over the final two games of the series, including two each from Ceballos and Phillips, to pick up their first series win over the Red Raiders (20-6, 3-3 Big 12) since 2013.
"Big weekend for our guys," head coach Pete Hughes said. "It shows what type of character we have in that clubhouse. You dig yourself out of a rut, that happens in this game, and be mature enough to understand the big picture after Thursday's game one.
"I think we made huge strides as a team, when you can overcome adversity and be mature enough to realize that the game always comes back to people who respect it and work hard with their preparation."
After scoring just one run on two hits in Thursday night's 17-1 loss, the K-State offense erupted with 17 runs on 23 hits over the last two games in claiming the program's series victory over a top-five opponent since 2015.
For the second straight game, the Wildcats belted two home runs in the first inning in taking a 3-0 lead after one. Goodwin hit the fifth home run of his freshman campaign while Ceballos tallied his third homer of the year as part of the three-run first.
The Wildcats knocked Texas Tech starter Mason Montgomery out of the game after he recorded just two outs, as Montgomery gave up three earned runs on three hits to go with two walks.
Thompson's three-run bomb, coming on an 0-2 pitch, capped a five-run fifth after TTU got a two-run double from Dillon Carter in the fourth to trim K-State's lead to 3-2.
In the fifth, eight Wildcats came to the plate with Ceballos drawing a bases-loaded walk and Zach Kokoska recording an RBI groundout.
"When you can put up a five-spot after they cut the lead to one, it's demoralizing [for the opponent]," added Hughes. "We've been on the other end of that, but that's what good teams do. You're relentless, keep expanding your lead, and no lead was big enough with that offense that we faced this weekend."
McCullough scattered six hits over his seven innings of work – tying his career-long outing. The redshirt freshman righty yielded four earned runs and walked three in earning his second win of the season.
"My last two outings haven't been real sharp," said McCullough. "Tonight, I just tried to relax, and it worked out. I wasn't playing against Texas Tech. I knew how their hitters were, but I just let myself work and it worked out. The defense played really well, too."
"We needed a quality start from Connor," Hughes said of his starter. "It allowed us to build the lead. He's a strike-throwing machine. He was awesome today and gave our offense a chance to settle in and play with a lead."
K-State reliever Eric Torres tossed the final two frames of the contest, striking out three with one hit against him.
McCullough and Torres combined to hold the Red Raiders hitless with two outs (0-for-8) and just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
With K-State leading 8-2 after six innings, TTU got a two-run home run from designated hitter Cody Masters in the top of the seventh.
A Phillips seventh-inning leadoff homer and an RBI single from Cameron Uselton pushed the Wildcat lead back to six runs.
Goodwin, Kokoska and Uselton all turned in two hits to lead the Cats. Thompson registered a team-high three RBI while Ceballos and Goodwin each drove in a pair.
TTU utilized six relief pitchers over 7 1/3 innings, allowing a total of seven runs on seven hits.
Next up, the Cats host Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a two-game midweek series starting Tuesday at Tointon Family Stadium. First pitch for both games is slated for 6 p.m., with streaming coverage on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage will be available on the News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM) and live, free audio at K-StateSports.com/watch.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
K-State (15-11, 2-4 Big 12) produced seven extra-base hits in the series-clinching win, including home runs from Chris Ceballos, Nick Goodwin, Dylan Phillips and Cameron Thompson. The Cats hammered out seven homers over the final two games of the series, including two each from Ceballos and Phillips, to pick up their first series win over the Red Raiders (20-6, 3-3 Big 12) since 2013.
"Big weekend for our guys," head coach Pete Hughes said. "It shows what type of character we have in that clubhouse. You dig yourself out of a rut, that happens in this game, and be mature enough to understand the big picture after Thursday's game one.
"I think we made huge strides as a team, when you can overcome adversity and be mature enough to realize that the game always comes back to people who respect it and work hard with their preparation."
After scoring just one run on two hits in Thursday night's 17-1 loss, the K-State offense erupted with 17 runs on 23 hits over the last two games in claiming the program's series victory over a top-five opponent since 2015.
For the second straight game, the Wildcats belted two home runs in the first inning in taking a 3-0 lead after one. Goodwin hit the fifth home run of his freshman campaign while Ceballos tallied his third homer of the year as part of the three-run first.
The Wildcats knocked Texas Tech starter Mason Montgomery out of the game after he recorded just two outs, as Montgomery gave up three earned runs on three hits to go with two walks.
Thompson's three-run bomb, coming on an 0-2 pitch, capped a five-run fifth after TTU got a two-run double from Dillon Carter in the fourth to trim K-State's lead to 3-2.
In the fifth, eight Wildcats came to the plate with Ceballos drawing a bases-loaded walk and Zach Kokoska recording an RBI groundout.
"When you can put up a five-spot after they cut the lead to one, it's demoralizing [for the opponent]," added Hughes. "We've been on the other end of that, but that's what good teams do. You're relentless, keep expanding your lead, and no lead was big enough with that offense that we faced this weekend."
McCullough scattered six hits over his seven innings of work – tying his career-long outing. The redshirt freshman righty yielded four earned runs and walked three in earning his second win of the season.
"My last two outings haven't been real sharp," said McCullough. "Tonight, I just tried to relax, and it worked out. I wasn't playing against Texas Tech. I knew how their hitters were, but I just let myself work and it worked out. The defense played really well, too."
"We needed a quality start from Connor," Hughes said of his starter. "It allowed us to build the lead. He's a strike-throwing machine. He was awesome today and gave our offense a chance to settle in and play with a lead."
K-State reliever Eric Torres tossed the final two frames of the contest, striking out three with one hit against him.
McCullough and Torres combined to hold the Red Raiders hitless with two outs (0-for-8) and just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
With K-State leading 8-2 after six innings, TTU got a two-run home run from designated hitter Cody Masters in the top of the seventh.
A Phillips seventh-inning leadoff homer and an RBI single from Cameron Uselton pushed the Wildcat lead back to six runs.
Goodwin, Kokoska and Uselton all turned in two hits to lead the Cats. Thompson registered a team-high three RBI while Ceballos and Goodwin each drove in a pair.
TTU utilized six relief pitchers over 7 1/3 innings, allowing a total of seven runs on seven hits.
Next up, the Cats host Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a two-game midweek series starting Tuesday at Tointon Family Stadium. First pitch for both games is slated for 6 p.m., with streaming coverage on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage will be available on the News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM) and live, free audio at K-StateSports.com/watch.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- K-State scored 10 runs on 10 hits with no errors and six left on base.
- Texas Tech scored four runs on seven hits with no errors and four left on base.
- Ceballos, Goodwin, Phillips and Thompson all homered for K-State.
- K-State had seven extra-base hits on the day.
- McCullough, now 2-1, allowed four runs on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in seven innings of work.
- Torres worked the final two innings, striking out three with one hit allowed.
- Goodwin, Kokoska and Uselton each had multi-hit performances for K-State.
- K-State went 3-for-10 with two outs, 4-for-13 with runners on and 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
- K-State defeated Texas Tech in a series for the first time since 2013.
- It is the first K-State series win over a top-25 team since 2019 and the first home series win over a top-five team in program history.
- Kokoska extended his on-base streak to 22 games – a career-best stretch.
- Thompson made his 210th consecutive start for K-State, and is tied for fourth in program history in career starts.
- K-State now has 40 homers on the season, which is good for second in the Big 12.
- Texas Tech leads the all-time series, 46-30-1 (29-28-1 Big 12).
- K-State holds a 19-17 advantage over the Red Raiders in games played in Manhattan.
Cats Win the series 😼#KStateBSB pic.twitter.com/ypLfyyP9Ba
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) April 3, 2021
The final out.
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) April 3, 2021
'Cats grab their first home series win in school history over a Top 5 program. #KStateBSB x EMAW pic.twitter.com/5cn5DQPmGd
Bruh. @DylanP_16 is just flexing 💪#KStateBSB 10 - Texas Tech 2 | Bot 8 pic.twitter.com/XQSeskrQKP
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) April 3, 2021
7 IP & 7K's for Connor McCullough #KStateBSB x @connormcc22 pic.twitter.com/rtcW7TTDdk
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) April 3, 2021
Left it in the happy zone 🚀 #KStateBSB x @T10Cambo pic.twitter.com/2EqT7Bkq34
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) April 3, 2021
.@DylanP_16 with scoop and Goodwin finishes off the DP. #KStateBSB pic.twitter.com/8b2gdqPZBo
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) April 3, 2021
🔨 ➡️ ⚾️ + 🔨➡️⚾️
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) April 3, 2021
Nick Goodwin & @ChrisCeballos20#KStateBSB 3 - Texas Tech 0 | Bot 1 pic.twitter.com/RBzfS40TQ4
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: McCullough, Connor (2-1)
L: Mason Montgomery (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Dillon Carter 1 ; Easton Murrell 1
HR: Cody Masters 1
RBI: Dillon Carter 2 ; Cody Masters 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Dylan Neuse 1 ; Cal Conley 1 ; Easton Murrell 1 ; Cody Masters 1
Batting:
2B: Hughes, Dom 1 ; Goodwin, Nick 1 ; Kokoska, Zach 1
HR: Goodwin, Nick 1 ; Phillips, Dylan 1 ; Ceballos, Chris 1 ; Thompson, Cameron 1
RBI: Goodwin, Nick 2 ; Phillips, Dylan 1 ; Ceballos, Chris 2 ; Kokoska, Zach 1 ; Thompson, Cameron 3 ; Uselton, Cameron 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hughes, Dom 2 ; Goodwin, Nick 2 ; Phillips, Dylan 2 ; Ceballos, Chris 2 ; Thompson, Cameron 2
SB: Hughes, Dom 1 ; Kokoska, Zach 1 ; Thompson, Cameron 1
CS: Kokoska, Zach 1 ; Burrows, Blake 1
HBP: Phillips, Dylan 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
2
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
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/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF/LHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ BaseballOF
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