Kansas State University Athletics
Friday, April 11
Manhattan, Kan.
6 p.m.
Kansas State University
vs
UCF
K-State Baseball Welcomes UCF for Weekend Series
Apr 10, 2025 | Baseball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State wraps up its four-game homestand this weekend, when the Wildcats host UCF in a three-game conference series, starting Friday at 6 p.m. at Tointon Family Stadium.
Game two of the Big 12 series between the Wildcats and Knights is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m., followed by Sunday's finale on at 1 p.m.
The Wildcats (21-11, 8-4 Big 12) enter the weekend series tied third in the league standings, alongside TCU, Arizona and Arizona State.
Friday marks the fourth meeting between the two teams and first in Manhattan. UCF (18-14, 3-9 Big 12) leads the all-time series 2-1 after picking up a series win in its first season in the Big 12 Conference in 2024.
The entire Big 12 series will broadcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN app with radio coverage available on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). Live streaming audio is available at kstatesports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app.
Single-game tickets are now available for all K-State baseball games at Tointon Family Stadium and can be purchased online at KStateSports.com, or by calling 1-800-221-CATS (2287), or stopping by the K-State Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.
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.
GAME #33
K-STATE (21-11, 8-4 Big 12) vs. UCF (18-14, 3-9 Big 12)
Friday, April 11 // 6 p.m. CT // Tointon Family Stadium (2,344)
Projected Starters: LHP Jacob Frost (0-1, 4.11 ERA) vs. RHP Camden Wicker (0-0, 4.22 ERA)
Watch: ESPN + // Brian Smoller, Mike Clark, Sophie Smith
Radio: KMAN // Matt Walters, Trevor Hurley
Listen Online: kstatesports.com/watch
Live Stats
GAME #34
K-STATE (21-11, 8-4 Big 12) vs. UCF (18-14, 3-9 Big 12)
Saturday, April 12 // 4 p.m. CT // Tointon Family Stadium (2,344)
Projected Starters: LHP Michael Quevedo (4-1, 5.45 ERA) vs. RHP Russell Sandefer (1-2, 1.80 ERA)
Watch: ESPN + // Brian Smoller, Mike Clark, Sophie Smith
Radio: KMAN // Matt Walters, Jared Goedert
Listen Online: kstatesports.com/watch
Live Stats
GAME #35
K-STATE (21-11, 8-4 Big 12) vs. UCF (18-14, 3-9 Big 12)
Sunday, April 13 // 1 p.m. CT // Tointon Family Stadium (2,344)
Projected Starters: LHP Lincoln Sheffield (4-3, 5.23 ERA) vs. RHP Wiley Hartley (4-0, 4.23 ERA)
Watch: ESPN + // Brian Smoller, Mike Clark
Radio: KMAN // Matt Walters, Jared Goedert
Listen Online: kstatesports.com/watch
Live Stats
THE MATCHUP
K-State wraps up its four-game homestand this weekend, when the Wildcats host UCF in a three-game conference series, starting Friday at 6 p.m. at Tointon Family Stadium … Game two of the Big 12 series between the Wildcats and Knights is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m., followed by Sunday's finale on at 1 p.m. … The Wildcats enter the weekend series tied third in the league standings, alongside TCU, Arizona and Arizona State.
A LOOK AT K-STATE
K-State is coming off its third run-rule victory of the season after downing Missouri State, 12-2, Tuesday night … The Cats head into Week 5 of conference play with an overall record of 21-11 and 8-4 conference mark … With the Tuesday's win, the Wildcats extended their home winning streak to 11, marking the first 11-0 start at home since 2014 … Cayden Phillips delivered a two-run walk-off homer against the Bears to secure the Cats' fifth walk-off of the season, and third by a home run … K-State is receiving votes in the latest NCBWA Division I Poll … The Cats have won four of their five regular three-game series this season, that includes sweeps over William & Mary, Utah and Texas Tech … In 28 seasons, head coach Pete Hughes has compiled a career record of 841-645-3 as a head coach, while leading the Cats to five straight winning seasons and an overall record of 189-153.
SCOUTING UCF
UCF enters the series with an overall 18-14 record and 3-9 mark in conference play … After starting off the season 13-3, Knights are 1-9 in their last 10 contests contests with a current four-game losing streak … UCF picked up a series win at BYU in the Big 12 opening weekend … As a team, the Knights are slashing .325/.424/.485 with 61 doubles, 10 triples and 32 homers led by Edian Espinal's 4.07 average … Four players have belted at least five home runs this season with Andrew Williamson paving the way with seven … The Knights' .325 team batting average ranks 10th in the country and leads in the conference, while the pitching staff boasts the league's third-best ERA (4.29) … In the Big 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll, UCF was projected to finish seventh – three points ahead of K-State – while pitchers Dom Stagliano and Dominic Castellano were named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team … Right-hander Camden Wicker (0-0, 4.22 ERA) will make his second straight in Friday's opener … Russell Sandefer (1-2, 1.80 ERA) will make his first start as a Knight on Saturday and Wiley Hartley (4-0, 4.23 ERA) will get the nod for UCF on Sunday.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Friday marks the fourth meeting between the Wildcats and Knights in the all-time series, and first in Manhattan … UCF claimed the first-ever series between the two squads in 2024 (2-1), outscoring the Cats 16-9 … Last season, K-State was hit .180 (16-for-89) in Orlando.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
L, 4-7 – April 5, 2024 (Orlando)
W, 4-3 – April 6, 2024 (Orlando)
L, 1-6 – April 7, 2024 (Orlando)
WELCOME TO TOINTON
K-State is 11-0 at home this season, its best start at home since 2014 … K-State baseball is 419-217 when playing at Tointon Family Stadium (since 2002) … The Wildcats are 113-42 at home under Hughes and 92-21 (.814) since 2021 … The Cats 16-0 start at home in 2006 set a program record, while a win on Friday would mark the best home start since 2009 (12-0).
HOME COOKIN'
K-State has won each of its 11 home tilts ... At home, the Wildcat offense is hitting .342 and slugging an incredible .700 with 32 home runs ... K-State averages 10.9 runs a game on 11.1 hits at Tointon Family Stadium ... Conversely, the Cats are hitting .254 and slugging .418 in games away from home, averaging 6.4 runs per game and 8.2 hits a game ... The Wildcat bullpen boasts a 4.05 ERA at home, striking out 100 compared to 29 walks (3.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio) ... In road and neutral contest, K-State starters and relievers have a combined ERA of 5.83 with 208 strikeouts and 102 walks ... K-State has homered in each of its 11 home games this season, with 32 of its 58 home runs have come at Tointon Family Stadium ... Three starters are hitting north of .400 at home led by Madliak hitting at a .405 clip at home, followed by Evasco (.400) and Martin (.400) … Martin has recorded eight of his 12 home runs in Manhattan.
IMPACT LEFTIES
For the eighth consecutive week, K-State will go with the lefty trio of Frost, Quevedo and Sheffield … In eight weeks, the trio has combined for a record of 7-4 with a 5.10 ERA, while picking up 115 strikeouts against 36 walks (3.2 strikeout-to-walk ratio) … Quevedo and Sheffield have started in each of their eight outings this season, while Frost earned his first start against Arkansas … Three of Sheffield's eight starts have been quality outings, while Quevedo has one (vs. Utah, March 15) … K-State is 17-5 in games the three have started … Quevedo struck out a season-best 10 against Sam Houston (March 1) … Sheffield garnered Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Week honors on February 24 for holding TCU to one run over his seven innings of work … Quevedo has struck out a season-high 46 batters – 10th-most in the Big 12 – while Sheffield has issued just nine walks in eight starts for a 5.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio, ranking second overall in the conference.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
In 2025, K-State is 5-3 in Friday opening-weekend contests, that includes a 4-1 record in regular weekend series and 3-0 in series at home … In three-game series, Cats are hitting .253 on Friday while the pitchers boast a 3.27 ERA, limiting opponents to a .218 average and averaging 9.2 strikeouts per game … Evasco is hitting a team-leading .471 overall in Friday contests … As a team, the Cats have launched 10 homers in Friday contests … Last season in series openers at home, K-State finished with a perfect 8-0 record in series openers at home.
BIG BEAR ENERGY
In his last 10 games, catcher Bear Madliak has produced a team-leading .300 (9-for-30) batting ager with four doubles and three home runs … The Carrollton, ga., product belted a pair of solo shots in the Wildcats' 12-2 run-rule victory over Missouri State on Tuesday, to become the fourth player to generate a multi-home run game this season … With his two homers against the Bears, Madliak ties third with seven overall on the year … Behind the plate, Madliak has thrown out seven batters on the base path – third-most in the conference.
SLUG-KING
Junior shortstop Maximus Martin, a USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List selection leads the offense overall with a slash line of .355/.437/.764 … His .764 slugging percentage is second in the Big 12 and ranks 34th in the nation, while he ranks 25th in Division I in home runs (12) … This season, he has earned national recognition as the Golden Spikes Award National Player of the Week and National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Shortstop of the Week … Martin has also earned Big 12 Player of the Week and Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Week honors … On the year, Martin has turned in a team-leading 11 multi-hit efforts along with 12 games with multiple runs driven in, while also becoming the first player since 2018 to produce eight RBI in a single game.
HAMMERIN' CATS
K-State has erupted for 58 homers, ranking second in the league and 13th in the country while averaging 1.81 per game … Thirteen different Wildcats belted at least one home run this season with ten recording multiple home runs led by 12 from Martin … Martin, O'Connor, Kennedy and Madliak have each turned in a two-run home run game this season, with Madliak joining the club after his two blasts vs. Missouri State (April 8) … K-State has turned in 18 multi-home run games (17-1), including a season-high six homers on Sunday against William & Mary … The Cats have generated seven back-to-back performances this season (Latest: Madliak and Flores, vs. Missouri State, April 8) … Martin and Evasco have each launched a grand slam this season … Since 2019, K-State's offense has turned in four of the top five seasons in terms of total home runs in program history, including a single-season record 89 in 2021 … The 89 bombs ranked 11th in the nation and shattered the previous record of 75 set in 1997.
WINNING TIME
In K-State's 21 wins this season, the Wildcats are hitting .349 with runners in scoring position and .306 with two outs ... Conversely, the Cats have a .264 average with runners in scoring position while hitting .244 with two outs over 11 losses ... K-State has produced 66 two-out RBI in victories with 16 in eight losses ... Overall, K-State hits .319 in victories against just .209 in defeats ... In 11 losses, K-State pitchers have combined for 63 walks (5.7 per game) while in victories the staff averages 3.2 walks per game (68 walks in 21 wins) and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
UP NEXT
K-State will head to Boston, Mass., to start off a five-game road trip with a pair of contests at Northeastern (April 15-16), before returning to Kansas to take on Big 12 leader KU in the annual Sunflower Showdown in Lawrence (April 18-20).
Game two of the Big 12 series between the Wildcats and Knights is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m., followed by Sunday's finale on at 1 p.m.
The Wildcats (21-11, 8-4 Big 12) enter the weekend series tied third in the league standings, alongside TCU, Arizona and Arizona State.
Friday marks the fourth meeting between the two teams and first in Manhattan. UCF (18-14, 3-9 Big 12) leads the all-time series 2-1 after picking up a series win in its first season in the Big 12 Conference in 2024.
The entire Big 12 series will broadcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN app with radio coverage available on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). Live streaming audio is available at kstatesports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app.
Single-game tickets are now available for all K-State baseball games at Tointon Family Stadium and can be purchased online at KStateSports.com, or by calling 1-800-221-CATS (2287), or stopping by the K-State Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.
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.
GAME #33
K-STATE (21-11, 8-4 Big 12) vs. UCF (18-14, 3-9 Big 12)
Friday, April 11 // 6 p.m. CT // Tointon Family Stadium (2,344)
Projected Starters: LHP Jacob Frost (0-1, 4.11 ERA) vs. RHP Camden Wicker (0-0, 4.22 ERA)
Watch: ESPN + // Brian Smoller, Mike Clark, Sophie Smith
Radio: KMAN // Matt Walters, Trevor Hurley
Listen Online: kstatesports.com/watch
Live Stats
GAME #34
K-STATE (21-11, 8-4 Big 12) vs. UCF (18-14, 3-9 Big 12)
Saturday, April 12 // 4 p.m. CT // Tointon Family Stadium (2,344)
Projected Starters: LHP Michael Quevedo (4-1, 5.45 ERA) vs. RHP Russell Sandefer (1-2, 1.80 ERA)
Watch: ESPN + // Brian Smoller, Mike Clark, Sophie Smith
Radio: KMAN // Matt Walters, Jared Goedert
Listen Online: kstatesports.com/watch
Live Stats
GAME #35
K-STATE (21-11, 8-4 Big 12) vs. UCF (18-14, 3-9 Big 12)
Sunday, April 13 // 1 p.m. CT // Tointon Family Stadium (2,344)
Projected Starters: LHP Lincoln Sheffield (4-3, 5.23 ERA) vs. RHP Wiley Hartley (4-0, 4.23 ERA)
Watch: ESPN + // Brian Smoller, Mike Clark
Radio: KMAN // Matt Walters, Jared Goedert
Listen Online: kstatesports.com/watch
Live Stats
THE MATCHUP
K-State wraps up its four-game homestand this weekend, when the Wildcats host UCF in a three-game conference series, starting Friday at 6 p.m. at Tointon Family Stadium … Game two of the Big 12 series between the Wildcats and Knights is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m., followed by Sunday's finale on at 1 p.m. … The Wildcats enter the weekend series tied third in the league standings, alongside TCU, Arizona and Arizona State.
A LOOK AT K-STATE
K-State is coming off its third run-rule victory of the season after downing Missouri State, 12-2, Tuesday night … The Cats head into Week 5 of conference play with an overall record of 21-11 and 8-4 conference mark … With the Tuesday's win, the Wildcats extended their home winning streak to 11, marking the first 11-0 start at home since 2014 … Cayden Phillips delivered a two-run walk-off homer against the Bears to secure the Cats' fifth walk-off of the season, and third by a home run … K-State is receiving votes in the latest NCBWA Division I Poll … The Cats have won four of their five regular three-game series this season, that includes sweeps over William & Mary, Utah and Texas Tech … In 28 seasons, head coach Pete Hughes has compiled a career record of 841-645-3 as a head coach, while leading the Cats to five straight winning seasons and an overall record of 189-153.
SCOUTING UCF
UCF enters the series with an overall 18-14 record and 3-9 mark in conference play … After starting off the season 13-3, Knights are 1-9 in their last 10 contests contests with a current four-game losing streak … UCF picked up a series win at BYU in the Big 12 opening weekend … As a team, the Knights are slashing .325/.424/.485 with 61 doubles, 10 triples and 32 homers led by Edian Espinal's 4.07 average … Four players have belted at least five home runs this season with Andrew Williamson paving the way with seven … The Knights' .325 team batting average ranks 10th in the country and leads in the conference, while the pitching staff boasts the league's third-best ERA (4.29) … In the Big 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll, UCF was projected to finish seventh – three points ahead of K-State – while pitchers Dom Stagliano and Dominic Castellano were named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team … Right-hander Camden Wicker (0-0, 4.22 ERA) will make his second straight in Friday's opener … Russell Sandefer (1-2, 1.80 ERA) will make his first start as a Knight on Saturday and Wiley Hartley (4-0, 4.23 ERA) will get the nod for UCF on Sunday.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Friday marks the fourth meeting between the Wildcats and Knights in the all-time series, and first in Manhattan … UCF claimed the first-ever series between the two squads in 2024 (2-1), outscoring the Cats 16-9 … Last season, K-State was hit .180 (16-for-89) in Orlando.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
L, 4-7 – April 5, 2024 (Orlando)
W, 4-3 – April 6, 2024 (Orlando)
L, 1-6 – April 7, 2024 (Orlando)
WELCOME TO TOINTON
K-State is 11-0 at home this season, its best start at home since 2014 … K-State baseball is 419-217 when playing at Tointon Family Stadium (since 2002) … The Wildcats are 113-42 at home under Hughes and 92-21 (.814) since 2021 … The Cats 16-0 start at home in 2006 set a program record, while a win on Friday would mark the best home start since 2009 (12-0).
HOME COOKIN'
K-State has won each of its 11 home tilts ... At home, the Wildcat offense is hitting .342 and slugging an incredible .700 with 32 home runs ... K-State averages 10.9 runs a game on 11.1 hits at Tointon Family Stadium ... Conversely, the Cats are hitting .254 and slugging .418 in games away from home, averaging 6.4 runs per game and 8.2 hits a game ... The Wildcat bullpen boasts a 4.05 ERA at home, striking out 100 compared to 29 walks (3.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio) ... In road and neutral contest, K-State starters and relievers have a combined ERA of 5.83 with 208 strikeouts and 102 walks ... K-State has homered in each of its 11 home games this season, with 32 of its 58 home runs have come at Tointon Family Stadium ... Three starters are hitting north of .400 at home led by Madliak hitting at a .405 clip at home, followed by Evasco (.400) and Martin (.400) … Martin has recorded eight of his 12 home runs in Manhattan.
IMPACT LEFTIES
For the eighth consecutive week, K-State will go with the lefty trio of Frost, Quevedo and Sheffield … In eight weeks, the trio has combined for a record of 7-4 with a 5.10 ERA, while picking up 115 strikeouts against 36 walks (3.2 strikeout-to-walk ratio) … Quevedo and Sheffield have started in each of their eight outings this season, while Frost earned his first start against Arkansas … Three of Sheffield's eight starts have been quality outings, while Quevedo has one (vs. Utah, March 15) … K-State is 17-5 in games the three have started … Quevedo struck out a season-best 10 against Sam Houston (March 1) … Sheffield garnered Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Week honors on February 24 for holding TCU to one run over his seven innings of work … Quevedo has struck out a season-high 46 batters – 10th-most in the Big 12 – while Sheffield has issued just nine walks in eight starts for a 5.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio, ranking second overall in the conference.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
In 2025, K-State is 5-3 in Friday opening-weekend contests, that includes a 4-1 record in regular weekend series and 3-0 in series at home … In three-game series, Cats are hitting .253 on Friday while the pitchers boast a 3.27 ERA, limiting opponents to a .218 average and averaging 9.2 strikeouts per game … Evasco is hitting a team-leading .471 overall in Friday contests … As a team, the Cats have launched 10 homers in Friday contests … Last season in series openers at home, K-State finished with a perfect 8-0 record in series openers at home.
BIG BEAR ENERGY
In his last 10 games, catcher Bear Madliak has produced a team-leading .300 (9-for-30) batting ager with four doubles and three home runs … The Carrollton, ga., product belted a pair of solo shots in the Wildcats' 12-2 run-rule victory over Missouri State on Tuesday, to become the fourth player to generate a multi-home run game this season … With his two homers against the Bears, Madliak ties third with seven overall on the year … Behind the plate, Madliak has thrown out seven batters on the base path – third-most in the conference.
SLUG-KING
Junior shortstop Maximus Martin, a USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List selection leads the offense overall with a slash line of .355/.437/.764 … His .764 slugging percentage is second in the Big 12 and ranks 34th in the nation, while he ranks 25th in Division I in home runs (12) … This season, he has earned national recognition as the Golden Spikes Award National Player of the Week and National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Shortstop of the Week … Martin has also earned Big 12 Player of the Week and Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Week honors … On the year, Martin has turned in a team-leading 11 multi-hit efforts along with 12 games with multiple runs driven in, while also becoming the first player since 2018 to produce eight RBI in a single game.
HAMMERIN' CATS
K-State has erupted for 58 homers, ranking second in the league and 13th in the country while averaging 1.81 per game … Thirteen different Wildcats belted at least one home run this season with ten recording multiple home runs led by 12 from Martin … Martin, O'Connor, Kennedy and Madliak have each turned in a two-run home run game this season, with Madliak joining the club after his two blasts vs. Missouri State (April 8) … K-State has turned in 18 multi-home run games (17-1), including a season-high six homers on Sunday against William & Mary … The Cats have generated seven back-to-back performances this season (Latest: Madliak and Flores, vs. Missouri State, April 8) … Martin and Evasco have each launched a grand slam this season … Since 2019, K-State's offense has turned in four of the top five seasons in terms of total home runs in program history, including a single-season record 89 in 2021 … The 89 bombs ranked 11th in the nation and shattered the previous record of 75 set in 1997.
WINNING TIME
In K-State's 21 wins this season, the Wildcats are hitting .349 with runners in scoring position and .306 with two outs ... Conversely, the Cats have a .264 average with runners in scoring position while hitting .244 with two outs over 11 losses ... K-State has produced 66 two-out RBI in victories with 16 in eight losses ... Overall, K-State hits .319 in victories against just .209 in defeats ... In 11 losses, K-State pitchers have combined for 63 walks (5.7 per game) while in victories the staff averages 3.2 walks per game (68 walks in 21 wins) and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
UP NEXT
K-State will head to Boston, Mass., to start off a five-game road trip with a pair of contests at Northeastern (April 15-16), before returning to Kansas to take on Big 12 leader KU in the annual Sunflower Showdown in Lawrence (April 18-20).
Players Mentioned
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