Kansas State University Athletics
Tuesday, February 18
Chapel Hill, N.C.
3 p.m.
Kansas State University
1-4
9
at
12
North Carolina
4-0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Kansas State
2
0
0
1
0
2
1
3
0
9
12
2
North Carolina
4
0
0
0
0
1
5
2
X
12
9
1
K-State’s Rally Falls Short at #6 North Carolina
Feb 18, 2025 | Baseball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – K-State used a three-run rally in the eighth to cut the deficit to one, but sixth-ranked North Carolina responded with two insurance runs to maintain the lead in a 12-9 win on Tuesday night at Boshamer Stadium.
"That was a really good fight by our guys," seventh-year head coach Pete Hughes mentioned. "We're really close. We are by no means satisfied but tonight showed me that I have players who thrive in the heat of battle. That's something to build on."
In a back-and-forth battle, K-State (1-4) grabbed a 6-5 lead in the seventh when Nick English singled to drive in Dee Kennedy from second. However, the Tar Heels (4-0) answered with a five-run surge in the bottom of the inning to clinch the victory.
The Wildcats out-hit the Tar Heels, 11-9, led by a four-hit night from Kennedy. A sophomore transfer from Texas, Kennedy went 4-for-5 with two runs batted in and two runs scored, while drawing a pair of walks.
As a team, K-State hit .400 (8-for-20) with runners on base and was 6-for-11 (.545) with runners in scoring position. The Wildcats held a 3-1 advantage in extra-base hits over their first Top 25 opponent of the season.
"We could have been more efficient in controlling the aspects of the game within our control. However, there were an exceptional number of uncontrollable factors that were far too prevalent and impacted the game. For perspective, it was the first time in my 28 years as a head coach that I have put a game under protest," Hughes said.
K-State protested the game in the bottom of the first inning, due to indecisive pitch clock decisions made by the umpires.
Right-hander James Guyette was credited with the loss in relief, after surrendering the go ahead runs in the seventh. The sophomore scattered two hits with two strikeouts, while allowing five earned runs.
"We wish Coach Forbes and UNC a great season and appreciate their flexibility with the schedule adjustments."
HOW IT HAPPENED
K-State opened scoring against the Top 25 foe after quickly taking advantage of a bases loaded situation led by back-to-back hits from Kennedy and Donte Lewis. UNC's starter Folger Boaz issued a walk to Keegan O'Connor to put the Cats on the board before Martin hit a deep infield single to score English from third.
In his collegiate start, Lewis punched out the first batter he faced on a called third strike. The Tar Heels scored four unearned runs with the help of two errors in the first inning to take the lead. Blake Dean relieved Lewis and forced a fly out before striking out the final batter to stop the damage.
After two scoreless innings, one swing brought the game within one, 4-3, as Martin belted his first homer with K-State off the scoreboard in left center.
Dean kept the Tar Heels off the board in the second and third before handing the ball over to Ty Ruhl, who retired UNC in order with the help of a double play.
K-State regained the lead in the top of the sixth after Tar Heels' reliever Kyle Percival failed to get the out at home on a squeeze bunt by catcher Cayden Phillips, allowing the Cats to score two runs, 5-4.
Tied 5-5, Kennedy doubled down the left field line before coming around on a single by English to break the tie. UNC locked the score at 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh, before capturing an 10-6 lead with hits from Tyson Bass and Luke Stevenson.
The Wildcats bridged the gap to two, 10-8, as Kennedy laced a two-out double into left center to score runners from second and third. K-State made it a one-run ball game in the next at bat when Shintaro Inoue hit a shot at the Tar Heels' second baseman, who was unable to come up with play, allowing Kennedy to score from second.
With a 10-9 lead, the Tar Heels added a pair of insurance runs to prevent the upset.
INSIDE THE BOX
The Cats will head to Arlington, Texas to compete in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series presented by Kubota, hosted by D1Baseball and REV Entertainment at Globe Life Field. K-State will take on No. 5 Arkansas (4-0), Michigan (4-0) and No. 22 TCU across the three-day event, starting Friday at 7 p.m. CT against the Razorbacks.
The College Baseball Series can be seen on FloSports.com while radio coverage will be carried on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM) with Brian Smoller calling all the action. A free live streaming audio available for all games at KStateSports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app.
"That was a really good fight by our guys," seventh-year head coach Pete Hughes mentioned. "We're really close. We are by no means satisfied but tonight showed me that I have players who thrive in the heat of battle. That's something to build on."
In a back-and-forth battle, K-State (1-4) grabbed a 6-5 lead in the seventh when Nick English singled to drive in Dee Kennedy from second. However, the Tar Heels (4-0) answered with a five-run surge in the bottom of the inning to clinch the victory.
The Wildcats out-hit the Tar Heels, 11-9, led by a four-hit night from Kennedy. A sophomore transfer from Texas, Kennedy went 4-for-5 with two runs batted in and two runs scored, while drawing a pair of walks.
As a team, K-State hit .400 (8-for-20) with runners on base and was 6-for-11 (.545) with runners in scoring position. The Wildcats held a 3-1 advantage in extra-base hits over their first Top 25 opponent of the season.
"We could have been more efficient in controlling the aspects of the game within our control. However, there were an exceptional number of uncontrollable factors that were far too prevalent and impacted the game. For perspective, it was the first time in my 28 years as a head coach that I have put a game under protest," Hughes said.
K-State protested the game in the bottom of the first inning, due to indecisive pitch clock decisions made by the umpires.
Right-hander James Guyette was credited with the loss in relief, after surrendering the go ahead runs in the seventh. The sophomore scattered two hits with two strikeouts, while allowing five earned runs.
"We wish Coach Forbes and UNC a great season and appreciate their flexibility with the schedule adjustments."
HOW IT HAPPENED
K-State opened scoring against the Top 25 foe after quickly taking advantage of a bases loaded situation led by back-to-back hits from Kennedy and Donte Lewis. UNC's starter Folger Boaz issued a walk to Keegan O'Connor to put the Cats on the board before Martin hit a deep infield single to score English from third.
In his collegiate start, Lewis punched out the first batter he faced on a called third strike. The Tar Heels scored four unearned runs with the help of two errors in the first inning to take the lead. Blake Dean relieved Lewis and forced a fly out before striking out the final batter to stop the damage.
After two scoreless innings, one swing brought the game within one, 4-3, as Martin belted his first homer with K-State off the scoreboard in left center.
Dean kept the Tar Heels off the board in the second and third before handing the ball over to Ty Ruhl, who retired UNC in order with the help of a double play.
K-State regained the lead in the top of the sixth after Tar Heels' reliever Kyle Percival failed to get the out at home on a squeeze bunt by catcher Cayden Phillips, allowing the Cats to score two runs, 5-4.
Tied 5-5, Kennedy doubled down the left field line before coming around on a single by English to break the tie. UNC locked the score at 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh, before capturing an 10-6 lead with hits from Tyson Bass and Luke Stevenson.
The Wildcats bridged the gap to two, 10-8, as Kennedy laced a two-out double into left center to score runners from second and third. K-State made it a one-run ball game in the next at bat when Shintaro Inoue hit a shot at the Tar Heels' second baseman, who was unable to come up with play, allowing Kennedy to score from second.
With a 10-9 lead, the Tar Heels added a pair of insurance runs to prevent the upset.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State scored nine runs on 12 hits and committed two errors with eight left on base.
- UNC scored 12 runs on nine hits and with one error while stranding just 10 baserunners.
- Kennedy led the offense, going 4-for-5 with two RBI followed by a three-hit performance from Martin (3-for-3)
- Martin homered in his first at bat and drove in two of the Cats six RBI.
- Five of the Cats nine runs came with two outs.
- Lewis made his first collegiate start on the mound, allowing two hits without a surrendering an earned run.
- Six different players contributed a hit for the offense.
- Dean and Ruhl each logged a team-high 2 2/3 innings in relief.
- K-State used six pitchers with four striking out two batters.
- As a leadoff, Kennedy went 2-for-2.
- K-State held a 3-1 advantage in extra base hits (two doubles, one home run)
- K-State went 8-for-20 (.400) with runners on base and 6-for-11 (.545) with runners in scoring position.
- UNC hit .500 (.7-for-14) with players in scoring position and .267 (8-for-30) with men on.
- K-State hit .364 (4-for-11) with two outs while UNC hit .333 (4-for-12)
- UNC tied the all-time series 1-1, dating back to the first meeting in California in 1989.
- Against ACC opponents, the Cats are 9-10.
- Tuesday marked the third consecutive year K-State faced an ACC team (1-5).
- Dardar has registered a hit in all five games this season, while Bishop and English each stretched their on-base streaks to four.
The Cats will head to Arlington, Texas to compete in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series presented by Kubota, hosted by D1Baseball and REV Entertainment at Globe Life Field. K-State will take on No. 5 Arkansas (4-0), Michigan (4-0) and No. 22 TCU across the three-day event, starting Friday at 7 p.m. CT against the Razorbacks.
The College Baseball Series can be seen on FloSports.com while radio coverage will be carried on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM) with Brian Smoller calling all the action. A free live streaming audio available for all games at KStateSports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Baseball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Baseball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Camron Seagraves (1-0)
L: Guyette, James (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Kennedy, Dee 2
HR: Martin, Maximus 1
RBI: Kennedy, Dee 2 ; Inoue, Shintaro 1 ; English, Nick 1 ; O'Connor, Keegan 1 ; Martin, Maximus 2
SH: Phillips, Cayden 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kennedy, Dee 2 ; Lewis, Donte 1 ; English, Nick 1 ; O'Connor, Keegan 1 ; Martin, Maximus 3 ; Bishop, David 1
CS: Kennedy, Dee 1
HBP: O'Connor, Keegan 1
Batting:
2B: Jackson Van De Brake 1
RBI: Tyson Bass 2 ; Luke Stevenson 3 ; Rom Kellis 1 ; Alex Madera 2 ; Gavin Gallaher 2 ; Hunter Stokely 1
SF: Alex Madera 1 ; Gavin Gallaher 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kane Kepley 2 ; Tyson Bass 2 ; Luke Stevenson 1 ; Rom Kellis 1 ; Sam Angelo 1 ; Reece Holbrook 1 ; Jackson Van De Brake 2 ; Gavin Gallaher 1 ; Hunter Stokely 1
SB: Kane Kepley 1 ; Rom Kellis 1
HBP: Kane Kepley 2 ; Macaddin Dye 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
2
H
4
RBI
2
AB
3
R
3
H
3
RBI
2
p/dh
AB
1
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
C/OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballINF
/ BaseballINF
/ BaseballUTL
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
C
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