Errors Doom Wildcats Against No. 25 UCF - Kansas State University Athletics

Sunday, April 7

Orlando, Fla.

12 p.m.

Kansas State University

20-10, 7-5

UCF

21-8, 8-7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Kansas State	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	4
UCF	0	2	0	0	3	1	0	0	X	6	8	1

Box Score (PDF)

Apr 07, 2024 | Baseball

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. – Four errors haunted K-State against No. 25 UCF Sunday afternoon, as the Knights collected a 6-1 victory in the series finale at John Euliano Park.

The Knights (21-8, 8-7 Big 12) utilized three pitchers in the victory with reliever Dominic Castellano picking of the win on the mound.. Castellano (3-0) limited the Wildcats to just one unearned run on two hits in his 5 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts.

"You're not going to beat anyone when you have more errors than hits, never mind a Big 12 opponent," head coach Pete Hughes said. "Credit to UCF for capitalizing on opportunities that we presented to them."

UCF held K-State (20-10, 7-5 Big 12) to one run and three knocks in the rubber match, with Brady Day, Jayden Lobliner and David Bishop each producing a hit for the Wildcats.

Blake Dean (2-3) suffered the loss in his second collegiate start, as the freshman surrendered four runs (two earned) on three hits with five strikeouts in his four innings of work.

THE RUNDOWN
The Knights quickly jumped on the board after taking advantage of a trio of errors in the second to grab a 2-0 lead.

K-State responded in the third when Lobliner and Bishop each singled to lead off the inning until the duo advanced 90-feet on a failed pickoff attempt by Castellano. With no outs, Chuck Ingram grounded to the shortstop for Lobliner to score on the play.

UCF scored its final four runs in a two-inning span over the fifth and sixth innings, extending its lead to five.

Tyson Neighbors relieved Cole Wisenbaker in the sixth where the junior right-hander retired six straight batters, that included three strikeouts.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

K-State scored one run on three hits with a season-high four errors committed and left four runners on base.
UCF scored six runs on eight hits, committed one error, and stranded five men on base.
Day, Lobliner and Bishop recorded a hit.
Ingram's grounder to short in the third drove in the Cats lone run.
Dean (2-3) suffered the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits with five strikeouts in his four-inning start.
Castellano (3-0) earned the victory in relief, striking out eight in his 5 2/3 innings of work.
UCF scored four unanswered runs in a two-inning span.
K-State went 1-for-8 (.125) with runners on base, while going 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.
The Knights hit .263 (5-for-19) with men on base, and were 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

NOTES

With the series win, UCF leads the all-time series 2-1.
K-State dropped its second consecutive series, 5-2 overall on the year.
Day's single in the opening frame pushed his on-streak to 29.
K-State moves to 8-6 on the road, and 6-5 in true road games.

ON DECK
The Wildcats will return home Wednesday night to host in-state rival Wichita State at Tointon Family Stadium in the season series finale. Game time is slated for 6 p.m. Wednesday's game will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app, while radio coverage is available on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). A free live streaming audio available for all games at KStateSports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app.

How to follow the 'Cats: Stay up to date on K-State baseball online at www.kstatesports.com and on the team's social media channels on Facebook, X formally known as Twitter and Instagram.