Kansas State University Athletics
Thursday, April 14
Manhattan, Kan.
6 p.m.
Kansas State University
16-16, 2-8
8
vs
5
Texas
25-11, 5-5
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8
9
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H
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Texas
0
2
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5
10
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K-State
0
0
0
1
0
2
5
0
X
8
9
1
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
Cats Score Seven Unanswered to Upend No. 7 Texas
Apr 14, 2022 | Baseball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State mashed four home runs Thursday night, including a go-ahead three-run home run from Nick Goodwin in the seventh inning, on its way to scoring seven unanswered runs and downing No. 7 Texas 8-5 at Tointon Family Stadium in the series opener.
K-State (16-16, 2-8 Big 12) faced a 5-1 deficit after the fifth inning, tallying just one run on three hits to that point against starter Pete Hansen. The Wildcats then produced seven runs on six runs over the next two frames, with Goodwin's homer breaking a 5-5 tie and capping a five-run seventh.
"Proud of our guys for staying with it and being resilient," head coach Pete Hughes said. "Last weekend was very emotional for these guys, we let a couple games get away and those are crucial games … They keep things quiet and keep things focused. Down 5-1, they kept playing. A pretty mature approach for being down.
"I thought it was a good team effort from everybody. I could've given out a lot of game balls today. When you've got a lead late, you've got to put someone away and expand and expand."
Hansen left the game in the seventh with runners on the corners and with the Cats already having scored two. Goodwin was the first hitter that reliever Jared Southard saw, and the K-State shortstop deposited the second pitch Southard threw over the left-center field fence.
"I was going to bunt, good thing I didn't," Hughes said with a smile. "I was going to bunt (Goodwin). There was a pitching change, so I said, 'Hey, look. Why don't you go after the first pitch and the second pitch stay with me, I think I want to safety squeeze.' I was down at third base with Dominic Johnson and told him the same thing.
"His first swing he fouled it straight back and it was an unbelievable swing. Then I told Dom Johnson that we're not bunting. It worked out great … I just loved his swing and knew he was on it."
"Yeah, that's what he told me," Goodwin added. "But I guess I took a pretty good swing at that first slider and he gave me the green light for the next pitch. After putting a good swing on a hanging slider, I kind of figured they'd be coming back with a fastball. So I was sitting fastball, looking for a pitch that I could hit through the infield or even into the outfield and drive in a run. Just happened to hit it really well."
Three of Goodwin's five home runs this season have been game-tying or go-ahead shots. The sophomore has now hit four homers over his last six games.
Hansen recorded all eight of his strikeouts through the game's first three innings – and all eight coming over the first 10 Wildcat hitters he faced. Texas' left-hander finished the night with a career-high six earned runs on eight hits, seven coming over his last 3 1/3 innings.
"That kid's awesome," Hughes said of Hansen, the reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week. "His pitchability is through the roof, he doesn't miss a spot with his fastball. You've just got to stay with it and start picking pitches. He's done that to everybody this year.
"You've got to really stay focused, you've got to stay level-headed, not get too down and make your adjustments. Stay with the game plan, stay with the game plan. It could've gone the other way, down 5-1."
Dylan Phillips hit his first of two home runs off Hansen in the fourth inning, scoring the Cats' first run and trimming UT's lead to 3-1. Phillips launched his second bomb in the sixth inning, turning in his third multi-homer game of the year and eighth of his career.
"I felt good," said Phillips. "Even with the first strikeout, I felt like I was seeing it well. And at that point, I kind of knew how he was going to attack me. The rest of the night I just tried to stay out of two-strike counts and get a fastball I could handle early."
After starter Griffin Hassall pitched into the sixth inning, the K-State bullpen combined to keep the Longhorns (25-11, 5-5 Big 12) scoreless on just two hits over the game's final 3 2/3 innings.
Tyson Neighbors entered the game with two runners in scoring position and one out, lifting Hassall who tied his career high with six strikeouts. Neighbors struck out Trey Faltine before getting Dylan Campbell to ground out to thwart the threat and keep the score at 5-1.
Connor McCullough, who started last Sunday and is slotted to start Saturday's series finale, was called on when Texas managed two baserunners with just one away in the eighth. McCullough induced an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play and went on to retire all four he faced, earning his first career save.
"Any way to win a game on (Thursday) night, you go ahead and do it," Hughes said. "We got that lead and Connor McCullough, on three day's rest, unselfish. He was in the right frame of mind, he was ready and he was awesome."
"I was sitting on the couch in the clubhouse in the top of the seventh writing the scouting report for Saturday," said McCullough. "Then we score the fourth and fifth run(s) to tie it and that's when I go down to the bullpen; put my cleats on and head down there.
"Pitching's pitching, I think. Just go out there and throw strikes and that's what I did. It feels incredible, and hopefully this gives (us) momentum throughout the weekend."
It marked just the second career relief appearance for McCullough, who struck out two.
Neighbors was credited with his first career victory after throwing 1 2/3 shutout frames.
Four K-State pitchers combined to hold Texas without a hit with two outs (0-for-8) while limiting the Longhorns to 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
In building its 5-1 lead, UT got solo home runs from Silas Ardoin, Campbell and Douglas Hodo. Campbell and Hodo went back-to-back in the fifth inning.
Jeff Heinrich sparked K-State's five-run seventh with a leadoff homer, his fourth of the year.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
After Hassall struck out the side in order to open the game, Texas managed three hits and two runs in the second. Stehly led off with a single and Ardoin followed a batter later. After Todd laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners, Messinger brought both home with a single up the middle.
After the teams exchanged leadoff home runs in the fourth inning, Campbell and Hodo went back-to-back in the top of the fifth, opening a 5-1 lead for the Longhorns at the game's midway point.
Phillips' second long ball of the game, in addition to an RBI single from Cole Johnson, trimmed the Wildcats' deficit to two runs at 5-3 after six innings. Justin Mitchell roped a two-out double and scored on Johnson's single up the middle.
In the top half of the sixth, Neighbors entered the game for Hassall and escaped a two-on, one-out situation. He retired the first two hitters he faced and went on to log 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Heinrich inched the Cats within a run with a leadoff homer in the seventh. Later in the frame, a Longhorn error brought in the game's tying run and Goodwin came to the plate with runners on the corners. The second pitch Goodwin saw was deposited over the left-center field fence, breaking the 5-5 tie and capping a five-run inning.
In the eighth and with runners on the corners and one out, K-State turned to McCullough – who is slated as Saturday's starter. McCullough induced an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play and went on to retire all four UT batters he saw, earning his first career save.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
UP NEXT
K-State and Texas continue the series Friday at 6 p.m. The game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage can be heard on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). Free, live audio is also available at K-StateSports.com/Watch.
K-State (16-16, 2-8 Big 12) faced a 5-1 deficit after the fifth inning, tallying just one run on three hits to that point against starter Pete Hansen. The Wildcats then produced seven runs on six runs over the next two frames, with Goodwin's homer breaking a 5-5 tie and capping a five-run seventh.
"Proud of our guys for staying with it and being resilient," head coach Pete Hughes said. "Last weekend was very emotional for these guys, we let a couple games get away and those are crucial games … They keep things quiet and keep things focused. Down 5-1, they kept playing. A pretty mature approach for being down.
"I thought it was a good team effort from everybody. I could've given out a lot of game balls today. When you've got a lead late, you've got to put someone away and expand and expand."
Hansen left the game in the seventh with runners on the corners and with the Cats already having scored two. Goodwin was the first hitter that reliever Jared Southard saw, and the K-State shortstop deposited the second pitch Southard threw over the left-center field fence.
"I was going to bunt, good thing I didn't," Hughes said with a smile. "I was going to bunt (Goodwin). There was a pitching change, so I said, 'Hey, look. Why don't you go after the first pitch and the second pitch stay with me, I think I want to safety squeeze.' I was down at third base with Dominic Johnson and told him the same thing.
"His first swing he fouled it straight back and it was an unbelievable swing. Then I told Dom Johnson that we're not bunting. It worked out great … I just loved his swing and knew he was on it."
"Yeah, that's what he told me," Goodwin added. "But I guess I took a pretty good swing at that first slider and he gave me the green light for the next pitch. After putting a good swing on a hanging slider, I kind of figured they'd be coming back with a fastball. So I was sitting fastball, looking for a pitch that I could hit through the infield or even into the outfield and drive in a run. Just happened to hit it really well."
Three of Goodwin's five home runs this season have been game-tying or go-ahead shots. The sophomore has now hit four homers over his last six games.
Hansen recorded all eight of his strikeouts through the game's first three innings – and all eight coming over the first 10 Wildcat hitters he faced. Texas' left-hander finished the night with a career-high six earned runs on eight hits, seven coming over his last 3 1/3 innings.
"That kid's awesome," Hughes said of Hansen, the reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week. "His pitchability is through the roof, he doesn't miss a spot with his fastball. You've just got to stay with it and start picking pitches. He's done that to everybody this year.
"You've got to really stay focused, you've got to stay level-headed, not get too down and make your adjustments. Stay with the game plan, stay with the game plan. It could've gone the other way, down 5-1."
Dylan Phillips hit his first of two home runs off Hansen in the fourth inning, scoring the Cats' first run and trimming UT's lead to 3-1. Phillips launched his second bomb in the sixth inning, turning in his third multi-homer game of the year and eighth of his career.
"I felt good," said Phillips. "Even with the first strikeout, I felt like I was seeing it well. And at that point, I kind of knew how he was going to attack me. The rest of the night I just tried to stay out of two-strike counts and get a fastball I could handle early."
After starter Griffin Hassall pitched into the sixth inning, the K-State bullpen combined to keep the Longhorns (25-11, 5-5 Big 12) scoreless on just two hits over the game's final 3 2/3 innings.
Tyson Neighbors entered the game with two runners in scoring position and one out, lifting Hassall who tied his career high with six strikeouts. Neighbors struck out Trey Faltine before getting Dylan Campbell to ground out to thwart the threat and keep the score at 5-1.
Connor McCullough, who started last Sunday and is slotted to start Saturday's series finale, was called on when Texas managed two baserunners with just one away in the eighth. McCullough induced an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play and went on to retire all four he faced, earning his first career save.
"Any way to win a game on (Thursday) night, you go ahead and do it," Hughes said. "We got that lead and Connor McCullough, on three day's rest, unselfish. He was in the right frame of mind, he was ready and he was awesome."
"I was sitting on the couch in the clubhouse in the top of the seventh writing the scouting report for Saturday," said McCullough. "Then we score the fourth and fifth run(s) to tie it and that's when I go down to the bullpen; put my cleats on and head down there.
"Pitching's pitching, I think. Just go out there and throw strikes and that's what I did. It feels incredible, and hopefully this gives (us) momentum throughout the weekend."
It marked just the second career relief appearance for McCullough, who struck out two.
Neighbors was credited with his first career victory after throwing 1 2/3 shutout frames.
Four K-State pitchers combined to hold Texas without a hit with two outs (0-for-8) while limiting the Longhorns to 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
In building its 5-1 lead, UT got solo home runs from Silas Ardoin, Campbell and Douglas Hodo. Campbell and Hodo went back-to-back in the fifth inning.
Jeff Heinrich sparked K-State's five-run seventh with a leadoff homer, his fourth of the year.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
After Hassall struck out the side in order to open the game, Texas managed three hits and two runs in the second. Stehly led off with a single and Ardoin followed a batter later. After Todd laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners, Messinger brought both home with a single up the middle.
After the teams exchanged leadoff home runs in the fourth inning, Campbell and Hodo went back-to-back in the top of the fifth, opening a 5-1 lead for the Longhorns at the game's midway point.
Phillips' second long ball of the game, in addition to an RBI single from Cole Johnson, trimmed the Wildcats' deficit to two runs at 5-3 after six innings. Justin Mitchell roped a two-out double and scored on Johnson's single up the middle.
In the top half of the sixth, Neighbors entered the game for Hassall and escaped a two-on, one-out situation. He retired the first two hitters he faced and went on to log 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Heinrich inched the Cats within a run with a leadoff homer in the seventh. Later in the frame, a Longhorn error brought in the game's tying run and Goodwin came to the plate with runners on the corners. The second pitch Goodwin saw was deposited over the left-center field fence, breaking the 5-5 tie and capping a five-run inning.
In the eighth and with runners on the corners and one out, K-State turned to McCullough – who is slated as Saturday's starter. McCullough induced an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play and went on to retire all four UT batters he saw, earning his first career save.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- K-State scored eight runs on nine hits with one error and left four on base.
- Texas scored five runs on 10 hits, committed one error and stranded eight baserunners.
- K-State tied its season high with four home runs.
- Phillips produced his third two-homer game of the season and eighth of his career.
- Goodwin hit a go-ahead three-run home run as part of a five-run seventh.
- Six of the Wildcats' eight runs came from home runs.
- Mitchell and Phillips led the Cats with two hits apiece.
- Hassall's six strikeouts matched a season high
- Hassall scattered eight hits with five earned runs over 5 1/3 innings.
- Neighbors earned his first career win, tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
- McCullough collected his first career save, retiring all four he faced with two strikeouts.
- The K-State bullpen combined for 3 2/3 shutout innings with three strikeouts (three pitchers).
- Hansen suffered his first loss of the season, allowing a career-high six earned runs over 6 1/3.
- All eight of Hansen's eight strikeouts came over the game's first three innings.
- Texas got solo homers from Ardoin, Campbell and Hodo.
- Campbell and Hodo went back-to-back in the fifth.
- K-State hit .333 with runners in scoring position and 2-for-9 with two outs.
- Texas was hitless with two outs (0-for-8) while going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
- Phillips now has a team-leading 11 home runs and extended his program-record home run total to 42.
- Goodwin has hit four home runs over his last six games while three of his homers have been game-tying or go-ahead shots.
- Texas leads the all-time series 60-21-1 (50-21-1 Big 12).
- K-State is 10-23 at home against the Longhorns.
- The Wildcats have won three of the last four games in the series played at Tointon Family Stadium.
- The teams have split the last 10 matchups overall.
- K-State is 2-9 against ranked teams this season and 2-6 against the top 10.
- Texas marks the fourth straight opponent ranked in the nation's top 20 and the third consecutive in the top 10.
UP NEXT
K-State and Texas continue the series Friday at 6 p.m. The game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage can be heard on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). Free, live audio is also available at K-StateSports.com/Watch.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Neighbors, Tyson (1-0)
L: Hansen, Pete (6-1)
S: McCullough, Connor (1)
Batting:
2B: Stehly, Murphy 1
HR: Campbell, Dylan 1 ; Hodo III, Douglas 1 ; Ardoin, Silas 1
RBI: Campbell, Dylan 1 ; Hodo III, Douglas 1 ; Ardoin, Silas 1 ; Messinger, Skyler 2
SH: Todd, Austin 1 ; Daly, Mitchell 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Campbell, Dylan 1 ; Hodo III, Douglas 1 ; Stehly, Murphy 1 ; Ardoin, Silas 2
PO: Hodo III, Douglas 1
Batting:
2B: Mitchell, Justin 1 ; Uselton, Cameron 1
HR: Phillips, Dylan 2 ; Goodwin, Nick 1 ; Heinrich, Jeff 1
RBI: Phillips, Dylan 2 ; Goodwin, Nick 3 ; Johnson, Cole 1 ; Heinrich, Jeff 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Nicoloff, Josh 1 ; Johnson, Dominic 1 ; Phillips, Dylan 3 ; Goodwin, Nick 1 ; Mitchell, Justin 1 ; Heinrich, Jeff 1
PO: Jones, Brendan 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
3
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
3
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
INF/OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballC
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballOF/LHP
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