Kansas State University Athletics
Tuesday, March 11
Omaha, Neb.
6 p.m.
Kansas State University
9-6
8
at
9
Creighton
8-4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Kansas State
0
2
0
0
4
0
2
0
0
8
8
1
Creighton
0
7
0
0
0
2
0
0
X
9
9
0
K-State Drops Tuesday Tilt to Bluejays, 9-8
Mar 11, 2025 | Baseball
OMAHA, Neb. – K-State was unable to overcome the Bluejays' seven-run second inning Tuesday night, as Creighton held on to come away with a 9-8 win at Charles Schwab Field.
Facing a five-run deficit after four innings, K-State (9-6) rallied to pull within one in the fifth, fueled by freshman AJ Evasco's first collegiate grand slam. Both teams traded two runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but a crucial play at the plate protected the Bluejays' (8-4) lead.
"Poorly played game tonight," said head coach Pete Hughes, now in his seventh season at the helm of the baseball program. "We fought back when we were down but that doesn't always get you in the win column especially when you give up 13 free bases and surrender seven runs in one inning. We fought hard but did nothing to deserve a win."
The loss snapped the Wildcats five-game winning streak and ended a three-game winning streak against Creighton.
Right-hander Ian Koosman (1-2) picked up his first victory of the season, holding the Cats to two earned runs in his four innings of work and recording six strikeouts. Shane Curtin secured the save, tossing a scoreless eighth and ninth.
K-State starter JJ Slack (0-2) was credited with the loss after surrendering seven earned runs on three hits with five walks and three strikeouts.
Dee Kennedy and Shintaro Inoue each produced two hits for a Wildcat offense that totaled eight hits on the night. Kennedy finished 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored. In addition to Evasco's four RBI, Keegan O'Connor and Bear Madliak each drove in a run.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first frame, O'Connor was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a single from Kyan Lodice before Nick English was issued a walk to load the bases.
With one out, a wild pitch plated the opening run and Madliak lifted a 3-2 pitch deep into right field to allow Lodice to score.
Creighton immediately answered the in the bottom of the second with seven runs, led by a three-run blast by Connor Capece.
K-State brought the game within one, 7-6, with Evasco's second home run in three games. The Cats took advantage of a pair of walks and single by Inoue to load the bases with Evasco headed to the plate. The freshman unloaded on a 1-1 pitch, sending out his third homer of the season over the right field wall.
Trailing 9-6 in the seventh, pinch hitter Sam Flores and O'Connor each drove in a run to bring the game back within one.
The Wildcats best chance at tying the score came in the eighth, as Inoue attempted to score on a double into the left field corner by Dee Kennedy, but a well-executed relay preserved the lead.
INSIDE THE BOX
The Wildcats will face Omaha on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Tal Anderson Field. The midweek contest can be seen on the Summit League Network, while radio coverage will be carried online on News Radio KMAN with Brian Smoller and Mike Clark calling all the action. A free live streaming audio available for all games at KStateSports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app.
Following the games in Nebraska, the Cats will open Big 12 play on Friday, March 14 with a three-game series against Utah (11-3). Season and single-game tickets are now available. To purchase tickets, fans can visit KStateSports.com, call 1-800-221-CATS (2287), or stop by the K-State Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.
– 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.
Facing a five-run deficit after four innings, K-State (9-6) rallied to pull within one in the fifth, fueled by freshman AJ Evasco's first collegiate grand slam. Both teams traded two runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but a crucial play at the plate protected the Bluejays' (8-4) lead.
"Poorly played game tonight," said head coach Pete Hughes, now in his seventh season at the helm of the baseball program. "We fought back when we were down but that doesn't always get you in the win column especially when you give up 13 free bases and surrender seven runs in one inning. We fought hard but did nothing to deserve a win."
The loss snapped the Wildcats five-game winning streak and ended a three-game winning streak against Creighton.
Right-hander Ian Koosman (1-2) picked up his first victory of the season, holding the Cats to two earned runs in his four innings of work and recording six strikeouts. Shane Curtin secured the save, tossing a scoreless eighth and ninth.
K-State starter JJ Slack (0-2) was credited with the loss after surrendering seven earned runs on three hits with five walks and three strikeouts.
Dee Kennedy and Shintaro Inoue each produced two hits for a Wildcat offense that totaled eight hits on the night. Kennedy finished 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored. In addition to Evasco's four RBI, Keegan O'Connor and Bear Madliak each drove in a run.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first frame, O'Connor was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a single from Kyan Lodice before Nick English was issued a walk to load the bases.
With one out, a wild pitch plated the opening run and Madliak lifted a 3-2 pitch deep into right field to allow Lodice to score.
Creighton immediately answered the in the bottom of the second with seven runs, led by a three-run blast by Connor Capece.
K-State brought the game within one, 7-6, with Evasco's second home run in three games. The Cats took advantage of a pair of walks and single by Inoue to load the bases with Evasco headed to the plate. The freshman unloaded on a 1-1 pitch, sending out his third homer of the season over the right field wall.
Trailing 9-6 in the seventh, pinch hitter Sam Flores and O'Connor each drove in a run to bring the game back within one.
The Wildcats best chance at tying the score came in the eighth, as Inoue attempted to score on a double into the left field corner by Dee Kennedy, but a well-executed relay preserved the lead.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State scored eight runs on eight hits with one error committed and left six men on base.
- CU scored nine runs on nine hits, committed no errors and left 11 runners on base.
- The Bluejays plated a game-high seven runs in the second.
- Kennedy and Inoue each produced two hits, while four additional players added a hit.
- Evasco led the game with four RBI with is grand slam in the fifth.
- English and Kennedy were each issued two walks.
- Slack (0-2) took the loss, allowing seven earned runs on three hits with five walks and three strikeouts.
- Koosman (1-2) was credited the win, limiting K-State to two runs in four complete innings with six strikeouts.
- CU's McHugh and Capece each drove in three RBI.
- Ruhl and Roe combined for three strikeouts in 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief, while each allowed a hit and walk.
- Dean led the pitching staff, logging three scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
- K-State hit .400 (6-for-24) with men on base and .429 (3-for-7) in scoring position, while Creighton was 6-for-20 (.300) with runners on and 4-for-15 (.267) in scoring position.
- K-State leads the all-time series 55-45-1, with a 15-24 record in Omaha.
- Under Hughes, the Cats are 4-3 against Creighton
- K-State has homered in seven consecutive games, recording a grand slam in two of the last three outings.
- Evasco recorded his first collegiate grand slam with his third homer of the season and second in the past three games.
- Tuesday's contest marked the highest scoring game in the series since March 25, 2003 (Creighton 11, K-State 6).
The Wildcats will face Omaha on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Tal Anderson Field. The midweek contest can be seen on the Summit League Network, while radio coverage will be carried online on News Radio KMAN with Brian Smoller and Mike Clark calling all the action. A free live streaming audio available for all games at KStateSports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app.
Following the games in Nebraska, the Cats will open Big 12 play on Friday, March 14 with a three-game series against Utah (11-3). Season and single-game tickets are now available. To purchase tickets, fans can visit KStateSports.com, call 1-800-221-CATS (2287), or stop by the K-State Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.
– 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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ian Koosman (1-2)
L: Slack, JJ (0-2)
S: Shane Curtin (1)
Batting:
2B: Kennedy, Dee 1
HR: Evasco, AJ 1
RBI: Evasco, AJ 4 ; O'Connor, Keegan 1 ; Madliak, Bear 1
SF: Madliak, Bear 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Inoue, Shintaro 1 ; Kennedy, Dee 2 ; Evasco, AJ 2 ; O'Connor, Keegan 1 ; Lodice, Kyan 1 ; Madliak, Bear 1
SB: Dean, Micah 1 ; Karl, Cadyn 1 ; English, Nick 1
HBP: Evasco, AJ 1 ; Martin, Maximus 1 ; O'Connor, Keegan 1
Batting:
2B: Matt Scherrman 1 ; Will MacLean 1
HR: Connor Capece 1
RBI: Nolan Sailors 1 ; Will MacLean 1 ; Nate McHugh 3 ; Connor Capece 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Tate Gillen 1 ; Matt Scherrman 1 ; Nolan Sailors 2 ; Will MacLean 2 ; Ben North 1 ; Connor Capece 1 ; Nick Venteicher 1
SB: Nate McHugh 1
CS: Tate Gillen 1
HBP: Will MacLean 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
C/OF
/ Baseball
INF
/ BaseballINF
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
INF/OF
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
C
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