K-State Blasts Six Homers to Down BYU, 18-4

PROVO, Utah – The Wildcat offense erupted for six home runs Friday night, including a record-tying three from Keegan O'Connor, as K-State routed BYU, 18-4, to even the conference series at Miller Park.

A native of Andover, Massachusetts, O'Connor tied the program's single-game home run record, becoming just the fifth Wildcat in school history to hit three in a game – and the first since Jared Goedert in 2006 against South Dakota State. He finished just a grand slam shy of the home run cycle and a double short of hitting for the cycle. O'Connor is only the second player from the Big 12 Conference to blast three homers in a game in 2025.

The Wildcats (27-20, 13-10 Big 12) scored 16 runs over a four-inning stretch, highlighted by a seven-run fifth inning. Eleven of K-State's 19 hits – its second-highest total this season – went for extra bases while eight of nine starters contributed a hit. Six different players registered multi-hit efforts in the win with four driving in two or more runs.

The offensive surge also included two home runs from Seth Dardar and a two-run shot by Maximus Martin. Dardar became the sixth Wildcat this season to record a multi-home run game.

"Tonight was what K-State baseball looks like" head coach Pete Hughes said. "We established a lead, extended it and finished the game strong. We were able to do this by having a quality start, limiting free bases, playing solid defense and running our offense to its fullest capabilities. Now, our focus is on tomorrow."

K-State starter Michael Quevedo (6-1) retired eight of the first 11 batters he faced and carried a one-hitter into the fourth inning on his way to picking up the win. The senior left-hander struck out 10 over six innings, allowing three earned runs before handing the ball over to Adam Arther. The sophomore reliever surrendered just one run over the final three innings to earn his first collegiate save.

"It was also fun watching one of the best offensive performances by a player in recent history. [O'Connor] was hit in the face during batting practice and was almost a scratch right up until first pitch. Glad he played tonight," Hughes added.

O'Connor finished the game 5-for-6 with six RBIs and four runs scored. He is now just one home run shy of tying the program's single-season record, leading the Wildcats with 15 on the year. Martin ranks second with 13, while Dardar became the fourth Wildcat to reach double digits in home runs this season.

With the win, K-State snapped a 10-game road losing streak and secured its first victory in Provo in the series against BYU (22-22, 7-16 Big 12).

The 2025 Wildcats have now hit 84 home runs this season, tying for second all-time in program history and moving within five of the single-season record.

HOW IT HAPPENED
A leadoff triple from O'Connor – the team's second of the year – started off the second frame before Dardar followed in the next at bat, blasting his ninth homer and the team's 79^th.

The Wildcat offense continued to explode in the third, scoring three runs on with home runs by O'Connor and Martin.

Quevedo carried a one-hitter into the bottom of the fourth inning, striking out seven of the first 11 batters he faced.

Leading 6-0 in the fourth, the Wildcats tallied their third consecutive inning with three runs, as O'Connor and Dardar produced back-to-back homers with their second blasts of the night.

The Cougars managed to plate a pair of runs, taking advantage of balk and double into right center in the home half of the frame.

K-State immediately responded and took control of the game, after erupting for seven runs on four hits that included a three-run homer by O'Connor.

INSIDE THE BOX

K-State scored 18 runs on 19 hits, committed no errors and left seven on base.
BYU scored 4 runs on 11 hits with one error committed and nine runners left stranded.
Three players recorded a home run – O'Connor (3), Dardar (2), Martin (1).
Eight players contributed a hit led by multi-hit efforts from six.
Seven different Wildcats drove in an RBI.
O'Connor went 5-for-6 with a game-high six RBI and scored four runs.
Quevedo (6-1) earned the win, striking out 10 over six innings of work.
Arther earned his first collegiate save, allowing one run in three innings.
Sumner (3-3) suffered the loss, after surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts.
K-State hit .563 (9-for-16) with runners in scoring position and .417 (10-for-24) with runners on and scored three runs with two outs.
BYU was 5-for-15 with men in scoring position and 7-for-22 (.318) with runners on, while driving in two with two away.

TEAM NOTES

K-State leads the all-time series 8-6, while BYU has a 5-1 advantage in games played in Provo.
The 2025 squad's 84 home runs ties second-best in the school history – five from tying the program record set in 2021.
K-State is 21-3 when producing multiple home runs in a game.
The Wildcats have registered back-to-back with home runs eight times this season.
O'Connor turned in his second mutli-home run game of the year, and Dardar his first.
With 15 homers on the year, O'Connor is one away from tying the single-season record alongside three former Cats: Dylan Phillips (2021), Scott Poepard (1997), Heath Schesser (1997).
O'Connor is one of just two players from the Big 12 Conference to hit three in a game this in 2025.
This season marks the first time since 2022 K-State had four players with 10+ home runs.
Quevedo turned in his second 10-stirkeout game of the year.
The Cats recorded their fourth inning scoring seven or more runs, after plating seven in the fifth.
With the win, K-State snapped a 10-game losing streak on the road.
K-State's 18 runs scored are the most by either team in the series since it started in 1971.

UP NEXT
The Wildcats and Cougars will square off the in the rubber match on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Miller Park. The series finale can be found on ESPN+ and the ESPN+ while radio coverage is available on KMAN.

Single-game tickets for the Wildcats final week (May 6-11) at Tointon Family Stadium can be purchased by visiting KStateSports.com, call 1-800-221-CATS (2287), or stopping 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.

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Team Stats

Keegan O'Connor

Seth Dardar

Sam Flores

AJ Evasco

Players Mentioned

Adam Arther

Seth Dardar

Maximus Martin

Keegan O'Connor

Michael Quevedo

Players Mentioned

Adam Arther

Seth Dardar

Maximus Martin

Keegan O'Connor

Michael Quevedo

Kansas State University Athletics