Kansas State University Athletics
Saturday, May 22
Manhattan, KS
4 p.m.
Kansas State University
31-21, 10-14
11
vs
8
TCU
36-16, 17-7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
TCU
4
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
1
8
9
0
K-State
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
11
16
0
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Ceballos’ Walk-Off Homer Caps Comeback, K-State Stuns TCU
May 22, 2021 | Baseball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State senior Chris Ceballos launched a three-run walk-off home run to cap a seven-run ninth inning, as the Wildcats stunned No. 5 TCU 11-8 Saturday to take the weekend series on Senior Day at Tointon Family Stadium.
K-State (31-21, 10-14 Big 12) trailed by four runs twice in the ballgame and faced an 8-4 deficit as it went to the bottom of the ninth against TCU's All-America closer Haylen Green. Ceballos' home run was the Wildcats' seventh hit of the inning off Green, as three consecutive run-scoring knocks tied the game at 8.
The game-winning home run marked the first walk-off homer for K-State since Drew Biery's in 2009. It was Ceballos' 11th long ball of the year and 22nd of his Wildcat career.
"What an awesome win for the program, especially for the amount of seniors we have, to go out like that against a really good opponent. Such a cool feeling. Honestly, just really happy for all those players," assistant coach Austin Wates said after the win.
In the seven-run ninth, Dylan Phillips' RBI single tied the score after Cameron Thompson and Terrence Spurlin laced back-to-back RBI doubles. Thompson, a fifth-year senior, drove in two with his double and he ended the day 4-for-5 with three RBI.
Thompson, in his final start at Tointon Family Stadium, tied the program record with his 236th career start (Craig Wilson).
Another fifth-year senior, Caleb Littlejim, registered the first hit in the ninth after coming on as a defensive replacement. Ceballos was 0-for-3 before he stepped to the plate with two outs and launched the game-winning homer on the first pitch he saw from Green.
"Haylen Green was nominated by his coach to be pitcher of the year," added Wates. "To be able to do something like that off of one of the best arms in the Big 12, it really is unbelievable. You look at his numbers in league and what he's done for that program this season. For our guys to be able to battle like that in that inning. It's rare to see that much barrel contact off of anybody, much less an elite arm at the top of the league."
Green earned his league-leading 11th save of the year after a five-out save in Friday night's contest.
The Cats' ninth-inning rally was the second four-run hill they climbed Saturday, as they spotted TCU (36-16, 17-7 Big 12) four runs in the first.
K-State responded by chasing Horned Frogs starter Johnny Ray before an out was recorded. The Cats tallied four straight hits to begin the home first, including home runs from Thompson and Phillips.
Charles King was called on to clean up for Ray and got an inning-ending double play to limit the Wildcat damage in the opening frame. King went on to throw eight scoreless innings in relief, striking out nine without a walk and five hits before giving way to Green to begin the ninth.
"Momentum is everything in this game," Wates said. "You can see the ebbs and flows of the game even today. TCU grabs the four-run lead in the first, and our guys go out there and fight and battle and get four runs themselves and the momentum shifts back to our side. They brought in a new arm, who really came in and shut the momentum down for the rest of the game. They bring in another guy, and all the sudden the momentum is back in our dugout."
Tyler Eckberg, who was also honored in the day's pregame senior ceremony, picked up the victory after he logged the game's final three innings. Eckberg gave up just one run on two hits to go with two strikeouts.
Eckberg took over for Eric Torres, who retired the first seven he faced after entering in the fourth. Torres finished with two runs on two hits and five strikeouts. The lefty's scoreless streak was snapped after 19 2/3 innings, a stretch of 10 appearances.
Ceballos, Phillips and Thompson each drove in three in the rubber game, helping K-State to its second series victory over a top-five team this season (Texas Tech). Spurlin produced three hits as five Wildcats turned in multi-hit efforts.
The Frogs scraped across single runs in the fourth and ninth to go with a two-run seventh. Zach Humphreys delivered an RBI double in the seventh and Brayden Taylor's RBI single put the score at 8-4 after the top of the ninth.
Porter Brown went 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Frogs while Humphreys and Taylor each carded 2-for-4 days.
The Wildcats hit .571 (4-for-7) with runners in scoring position and .500 (9-for-18) with runners on base. K-State limited TCU to 1-for-10 with two outs.
K-State will head into the 2021 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship as the No. 7 seed and meet second-seeded TCU on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
The game will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage of the postseason tournament will be available on the K-State Sports Radio Network with live, free audio streaming at K-StateSports.com/watch.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
K-State (31-21, 10-14 Big 12) trailed by four runs twice in the ballgame and faced an 8-4 deficit as it went to the bottom of the ninth against TCU's All-America closer Haylen Green. Ceballos' home run was the Wildcats' seventh hit of the inning off Green, as three consecutive run-scoring knocks tied the game at 8.
The game-winning home run marked the first walk-off homer for K-State since Drew Biery's in 2009. It was Ceballos' 11th long ball of the year and 22nd of his Wildcat career.
"What an awesome win for the program, especially for the amount of seniors we have, to go out like that against a really good opponent. Such a cool feeling. Honestly, just really happy for all those players," assistant coach Austin Wates said after the win.
In the seven-run ninth, Dylan Phillips' RBI single tied the score after Cameron Thompson and Terrence Spurlin laced back-to-back RBI doubles. Thompson, a fifth-year senior, drove in two with his double and he ended the day 4-for-5 with three RBI.
Thompson, in his final start at Tointon Family Stadium, tied the program record with his 236th career start (Craig Wilson).
Another fifth-year senior, Caleb Littlejim, registered the first hit in the ninth after coming on as a defensive replacement. Ceballos was 0-for-3 before he stepped to the plate with two outs and launched the game-winning homer on the first pitch he saw from Green.
"Haylen Green was nominated by his coach to be pitcher of the year," added Wates. "To be able to do something like that off of one of the best arms in the Big 12, it really is unbelievable. You look at his numbers in league and what he's done for that program this season. For our guys to be able to battle like that in that inning. It's rare to see that much barrel contact off of anybody, much less an elite arm at the top of the league."
Green earned his league-leading 11th save of the year after a five-out save in Friday night's contest.
The Cats' ninth-inning rally was the second four-run hill they climbed Saturday, as they spotted TCU (36-16, 17-7 Big 12) four runs in the first.
K-State responded by chasing Horned Frogs starter Johnny Ray before an out was recorded. The Cats tallied four straight hits to begin the home first, including home runs from Thompson and Phillips.
Charles King was called on to clean up for Ray and got an inning-ending double play to limit the Wildcat damage in the opening frame. King went on to throw eight scoreless innings in relief, striking out nine without a walk and five hits before giving way to Green to begin the ninth.
"Momentum is everything in this game," Wates said. "You can see the ebbs and flows of the game even today. TCU grabs the four-run lead in the first, and our guys go out there and fight and battle and get four runs themselves and the momentum shifts back to our side. They brought in a new arm, who really came in and shut the momentum down for the rest of the game. They bring in another guy, and all the sudden the momentum is back in our dugout."
Tyler Eckberg, who was also honored in the day's pregame senior ceremony, picked up the victory after he logged the game's final three innings. Eckberg gave up just one run on two hits to go with two strikeouts.
Eckberg took over for Eric Torres, who retired the first seven he faced after entering in the fourth. Torres finished with two runs on two hits and five strikeouts. The lefty's scoreless streak was snapped after 19 2/3 innings, a stretch of 10 appearances.
Ceballos, Phillips and Thompson each drove in three in the rubber game, helping K-State to its second series victory over a top-five team this season (Texas Tech). Spurlin produced three hits as five Wildcats turned in multi-hit efforts.
The Frogs scraped across single runs in the fourth and ninth to go with a two-run seventh. Zach Humphreys delivered an RBI double in the seventh and Brayden Taylor's RBI single put the score at 8-4 after the top of the ninth.
Porter Brown went 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Frogs while Humphreys and Taylor each carded 2-for-4 days.
The Wildcats hit .571 (4-for-7) with runners in scoring position and .500 (9-for-18) with runners on base. K-State limited TCU to 1-for-10 with two outs.
K-State will head into the 2021 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship as the No. 7 seed and meet second-seeded TCU on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
The game will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage of the postseason tournament will be available on the K-State Sports Radio Network with live, free audio streaming at K-StateSports.com/watch.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- K-State scored 11 runs on 16 hits with no errors and five left on base.
- TCU scored eight runs on nine hits with no errors and six left on base.
- K-State scored seven runs on seven hits in the bottom of the ninth.
- Ceballos hit the first walk-off homer for K-State since 2009.
- It was Ceballos' 11th homer of the year and 22nd of his career.
- Thompson hit his 13th homer of the year and the 22nd of his career.
- Phillips hit his 14th homer of the year and the 29th of his K-State career.
- Phillips moved into a tie for fifth in K-State history in career homers.
- Thompson had a four-hit performance.
- Spurlin had three hits on the day.
- Zach Kokoska, Nick Goodwin and Phillips all had two hits.
- K-State had five extra-base hits, three coming in the ninth.
- Ceballos, Phillips and Thompson each drove in three runs.
- Kasey Ford worked the first 3 1/3 innings, allowing five runs and five hits with four walks and four strikeouts.
- Eckberg (4-4) picked up the win, allowing one run and two hits with no walks and two strikeouts in three innings of relief.
- Thompson made his 236th consecutive start and is now tied with Craig Wilson for most career starts in K-State history.
- K-State has 83 homers on the year, extending its single-season program record.
- Phillips has a team-high 52 RBI this season.
- K-State finished the regular season at 31-21 (10-14 Big 12).
- The Cats finished the season 24-7 in games played at home.
- The K-State pitching staff has a combined 492 strikeouts, which is the most ever in a single season in program history.
- Torres' scoreless inning streak ended at 19 2/3 innings.
- TCU leads the all-time series 21-11 (16-8 Big 12).
- K-State has won four of five home series against TCU.
- K-State holds an 8-7 advantage over TCU in games played in Manhattan.
- The Cats won all four of home Big 12 series.
CATS WIN! CATS WIN!
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) May 23, 2021
CEBALLOS WITH A WALK-OFF 3-RUN HR AND THE CATS SCORE 7 IN THE 9TH TO STUN #5 TCU! #KSTATEBSB pic.twitter.com/6FaZhPVi3k
That man called game. #KStateBSB x EMAW pic.twitter.com/7kwLb0ONqk
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) May 23, 2021
Ceballos hits one deep to left
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) May 23, 2021
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GOOOOOONE!!! 🗣#KStateBSB x @ChrisCeballos20 pic.twitter.com/BLk5YHBQIl
Waaaaaalk off celly 😸😸😸#KStateBSB x @ChrisCeballos20 pic.twitter.com/wEWsGhJJym
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) May 23, 2021
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Eckberg, Tyler (4-4)
L: Green, Haylen (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Humphreys, Zach 1 ; Taylor, Brayden 1
HR: Brown, Porter 1 ; Sikes, Phillip 1
RBI: Brown, Porter 2 ; Humphreys, Zach 1 ; Taylor, Brayden 1 ; Wolfe, Hunter 2 ; Sikes, Phillip 2
SH: Nunez, Elijah 1
SF: Brown, Porter 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Brown, Porter 2 ; Humphreys, Zach 3 ; Taylor, Brayden 1 ; Sikes, Phillip 1 ; Rodgers, Gray 1
SB: Humphreys, Zach 1 ; Wolfe, Hunter 1 ; Rodgers, Gray 1
Batting:
2B: Thompson, Cameron 1 ; Spurlin, Terrence 1
HR: Thompson, Cameron 1 ; Phillips, Dylan 1 ; Ceballos, Chris 1
RBI: Thompson, Cameron 3 ; Spurlin, Terrence 1 ; Phillips, Dylan 3 ; Ceballos, Chris 3 ; Willman, Kamron 1
SF: Willman, Kamron 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Thompson, Cameron 2 ; Spurlin, Terrence 1 ; Fowler, Kaden 1 ; Phillips, Dylan 2 ; Goodwin, Nick 1 ; Kokoska, Zach 1 ; Ceballos, Chris 1 ; Littlejim, Caleb 1 ; Johnson, Cole 1
HBP: Ceballos, Chris 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
2
H
4
RBI
3
AB
5
R
1
H
3
RBI
1
AB
5
R
2
H
2
RBI
3
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
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RHP
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RHP
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OF
/ Baseball
RHP/OF
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LHP
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