Kansas State University Athletics
Saturday, March 8
Manhattan, Kan.
4 p.m.
Kansas State University
8-5
17
vs
5
William & Mary
4-10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
William & Mary
0
1
0
3
1
0
0
5
8
2
Kansas State
4
4
4
1
1
0
3
17
13
1
K-State Launches Five Homers to Clinch Series
Mar 08, 2025 | Baseball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State's five home runs, led by Maximus Martin's grand slam in the first inning, powered K-State to a 17-5 walk-off, run-rule victory over William and Mary at Tointon Family Stadium to clinch the weekend series on Saturday.
K-State (8-5) tallied season-highs in runs and extra-base hits (8) on its way to winning the first weekend series of the season. Four different Wildcats turned in multi-hit efforts and four carded multiple RBI. The Cats scored multiple runs in four separate frames, including 12 in the game's first three innings.
"We're playing with great energy, and that's a difference maker in college baseball," said K-State's head coach Pete Hughes. "I thought our guys did a great job controlling the energy and tempo of the game and setting the tone. Being consistent scoring four in the first three innings is not an easy task. Really happy with our offensive effort today – top to bottom.
Martin, the Big 12 Player of the Week, became the first Wildcat to turn in a multi-homer game this season with his grand slam and three-run homer in the second. The Edgewater Park, N.J., product drove a game-leading eight runs batted in, finishing 2-for-4. Martin is the first player since March 9, 2018 to generate eight RBI (Drew Mount vs. Mercer).
"Maximus Martin set the tone for us, obviously. He had a monster day setting the tone like he did yesterday and got our offense going."
Donte Lewis (2-0) was awarded the victory in relief, as the true freshman held the Tribe (4-10) to one earned run and allowed just two hits in his 3 1/3 innings of work. Lewis retired 11 of the 13 batters he faced in his fourth outing of the season, striking out a season-high five.
K-State starter Michael Quevedo recorded a pair of punch outs on his way to retiring the side in the opening frame. Quevedo's day ended after 3 2/3 innings, with a season-high four earned runs surrendered on six hits. Both pitchers achieved above a 68% strike percentage.
Ty Smolinski and Bear Madliak added to the Cats home run total with their solo shots while AJ Evasco, who produced a season-high three hits (3-for-5), rounded out the Cats' home run count with his walk-off, three-run blast in the seventh.
Eleven different Wildcats have hit the long ball this season, led by Maritn with five, while it is K-State's first five-home run game since May 31, 2024, against La Tech in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
K-State has homered in nine of 13 games this season, including multiple in six.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Quevedo retired the Tribe in order, K-State erupted for four runs in the opening frame.
Nick English was issued a walk to lead off the home half of the inning and advanced to third on a double from Kyan Lodice. Seth Dardar was clipped to load the bases and bring Martin to the plate.
The junior shortstop turned on a 0-2 pitch and belted his fourth homer of the season into left field to clear the bases and hand K-State a 4-0 lead.
WM's Christian Rush tacked a run onto the board with a leadoff solo shot in the second.
K-State immediately answered in the bottom of the inning, as Smolinski launched his first collegiate hit and home run out to deep center field. After issuing a pair of walks, WM made a call to the bullpen and bring Daniel Lingle to the mound before Martin shelled his second homer of the game to expand the Cats lead 8-1.
With four hits in the third frame, K-State stretched its lead into double figures, 12-1,
WM scored three runs in the fourth, highlighted by back-to-back doubles from Owen Wilson and Kevin Francella.
Lewis relieved Quevedo in the fourth, inheriting runners on first and second. The freshman from Pearland, Texas fanned the first batter he faced to get out of the jam.
Leading 14-5, Evasco delivered his first collegiate three-run homer to center field to seal the walk-off victory.
INSIDE THE BOX
Sunday's series finale is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Tointon Family Stadium and can be seen on ESPN+, while a free live streaming audio available for all games at KStateSports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app. Season and single-game tickets are now available. To purchase season 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.
K-State (8-5) tallied season-highs in runs and extra-base hits (8) on its way to winning the first weekend series of the season. Four different Wildcats turned in multi-hit efforts and four carded multiple RBI. The Cats scored multiple runs in four separate frames, including 12 in the game's first three innings.
"We're playing with great energy, and that's a difference maker in college baseball," said K-State's head coach Pete Hughes. "I thought our guys did a great job controlling the energy and tempo of the game and setting the tone. Being consistent scoring four in the first three innings is not an easy task. Really happy with our offensive effort today – top to bottom.
Martin, the Big 12 Player of the Week, became the first Wildcat to turn in a multi-homer game this season with his grand slam and three-run homer in the second. The Edgewater Park, N.J., product drove a game-leading eight runs batted in, finishing 2-for-4. Martin is the first player since March 9, 2018 to generate eight RBI (Drew Mount vs. Mercer).
"Maximus Martin set the tone for us, obviously. He had a monster day setting the tone like he did yesterday and got our offense going."
Donte Lewis (2-0) was awarded the victory in relief, as the true freshman held the Tribe (4-10) to one earned run and allowed just two hits in his 3 1/3 innings of work. Lewis retired 11 of the 13 batters he faced in his fourth outing of the season, striking out a season-high five.
K-State starter Michael Quevedo recorded a pair of punch outs on his way to retiring the side in the opening frame. Quevedo's day ended after 3 2/3 innings, with a season-high four earned runs surrendered on six hits. Both pitchers achieved above a 68% strike percentage.
Ty Smolinski and Bear Madliak added to the Cats home run total with their solo shots while AJ Evasco, who produced a season-high three hits (3-for-5), rounded out the Cats' home run count with his walk-off, three-run blast in the seventh.
Eleven different Wildcats have hit the long ball this season, led by Maritn with five, while it is K-State's first five-home run game since May 31, 2024, against La Tech in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
K-State has homered in nine of 13 games this season, including multiple in six.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Quevedo retired the Tribe in order, K-State erupted for four runs in the opening frame.
Nick English was issued a walk to lead off the home half of the inning and advanced to third on a double from Kyan Lodice. Seth Dardar was clipped to load the bases and bring Martin to the plate.
The junior shortstop turned on a 0-2 pitch and belted his fourth homer of the season into left field to clear the bases and hand K-State a 4-0 lead.
WM's Christian Rush tacked a run onto the board with a leadoff solo shot in the second.
K-State immediately answered in the bottom of the inning, as Smolinski launched his first collegiate hit and home run out to deep center field. After issuing a pair of walks, WM made a call to the bullpen and bring Daniel Lingle to the mound before Martin shelled his second homer of the game to expand the Cats lead 8-1.
With four hits in the third frame, K-State stretched its lead into double figures, 12-1,
WM scored three runs in the fourth, highlighted by back-to-back doubles from Owen Wilson and Kevin Francella.
Lewis relieved Quevedo in the fourth, inheriting runners on first and second. The freshman from Pearland, Texas fanned the first batter he faced to get out of the jam.
Leading 14-5, Evasco delivered his first collegiate three-run homer to center field to seal the walk-off victory.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State scored 17 runs on 13 hits, committed one error and left five runners on base.
- WM scored five runs on eight hits, while committing two errors with six men left on base.
- Eight different players generated a hit, led by Evasco (3-for-5).
- Martin drove in a team-leading eight RBI.
- Four different players homered – Maritn (2), Smolinski, Madliak, Evasco.
- K-State hit five home runs including two from Martin (grand slam, 3-run).
- English drew three walks.
- Lewis (2-0) picked up the victory in relief, tossing 3 1/3 innings and allowing one earned run on two hits with five strikeouts.
- Quevedo allowed four earned runs in his 3 2/3 inning start.
- K-State hit .368 (7-for-19) with runners on and .333 (5-for-15) with men in scoring position.
- WM went 4-for-13 (.308) with runners on base and was 1-for-5 in scoring position.
- K-State leads the all-time series, 2-0.
- The Cats are 7-3 in their last 10 outings, with a four-game winning streak.
- Martin becomes the first Wildcat this season to produce a multi-home run game this season (Last: Chuck Ingram vs. La Tech, May 31, 2024).
- Martin homered for the third consecutive game with his grand slam, recording the first K-State grand slam (Last: Nick English vs. UMass Lowell on March 2, 2024).
- Smolinski became the fourth to make their first collegiate start, and third true freshmen.
- K-State has produced multi-home run games in 4 of the last 5 games - six overall on the season.
- Cats hit five homers for the first time May 31, 2024 (vs. La Tech).
- Eleven different players have homered this season.
- Martin is the first player since March 9, 2018 to generate eight RBI (Last: Drew Mount vs. Mercer)
Sunday's series finale is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Tointon Family Stadium and can be seen on ESPN+, while a free live streaming audio available for all games at KStateSports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app. Season and single-game tickets are now available. To purchase season 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: Lewis, Donte (2-0)
L: Reed Interdonato (0-2)
Batting:
2B: Derek Holmes 1 ; Owen Wilson 1 ; Kevin Francella 1
HR: Christian Rush 1
RBI: Christian Rush 1 ; Derek Holmes 1 ; Witt Scafidi 1 ; Owen Wilson 1 ; Kevin Francella 1
SF: Witt Scafidi 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Christian Rush 2 ; Derek Holmes 1 ; Charlie Iriotakis 1 ; Owen Wilson 1
HBP: Ethan Rothstein 1 ; Ben Parker 1
Batting:
2B: Lodice, Kyan 1 ; Dardar, Seth 1 ; Evasco, AJ 1
HR: Martin, Maximus 2 ; Evasco, AJ 1 ; Madliak, Bear 1 ; Smolinski, Ty 1
RBI: Martin, Maximus 8 ; Inoue, Shintaro 2 ; Evasco, AJ 4 ; Madliak, Bear 1 ; Smolinski, Ty 2
Base Running:
RUNS: English, Nick 3 ; Lodice, Kyan 3 ; Dardar, Seth 3 ; Martin, Maximus 2 ; Inoue, Shintaro 1 ; Evasco, AJ 1 ; Madliak, Bear 2 ; Smolinski, Ty 2
HBP: Lodice, Kyan 1 ; Dardar, Seth 1
PO: Smolinski, Ty 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
8
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Baseball
C/OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
UTL
/ Baseball
INF/OF
/ BaseballC
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ BaseballINF
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