Wildcats Win Fifth Straight Over Shockers

Tuesday, March 10

Manhattan, Kan.

6 p.m.

Kansas State University

12-4

Wichita State

11-6

Wichita State

Kansas State

Mar 10, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A go-ahead RBI triple from Carlos Vasquez helped K-State pick up its fifth consecutive victory over Wichita State, as the Wildcats defeated the Shockers, 7-5, Tuesday night at Tointon Family Stadium.

With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Vasquez delivered a game-winning triple off the right field wall to plate the deciding run and push the Wildcats' winning streak to a season-high six – the second-longest active winning streak in the Big 12.

"Good, clean, sound, win in all phases of the game," said eighth-year head coach Pete Hughes. "I was very happy with it. Our guys played with great energy and played clean baseball. The storyline of the game has to be the efficiency of our bullpen. Once again, those guys were lights out."

Left-hander Adam Arther (1-0) was awarded the victory in relief of starter Cohen Feser, who logged 3 1/3 innings in his first start at K-State. Arther held the Shockers to two runs over 2 2/3 innings. Robert Fortenberry retired all six batters he faced out of the Wildcats' bullpen, while Tazwell Butler tossed a shutout ninth inning to earn the save.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Shockers came out swinging, as leadoff Jaden Gustafson took the first pitch of the game into centerfield before later scoring on a fielder's choice to give Wichita State a 1-0 lead.

AJ Evasco avoided the diving efforts of both the center fielder and left fielder for a triple in left-center to score Dee Kennedy from first, following the shortstop's single – each extending their hitting streaks to four.

Back-to-back homers handed Wichita State the two-run advantage, 3-1, in the third, but K-State answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by Kennedy's two-run shot to left field.

The two squads exchanged a run until pinch hitter Jacob Gutierrez knocked in a run with a groundout to third in the sixth.

Tied 5-5, the Wildcats delivered the decisive blow in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Evasco reached on an infield single and stole second to move into scoring position. Vasquez immediately followed with a triple off the wall in right to give K-State to go-ahead run. The Cats' left fielder came around the plate in the next at-bat with Micah Kendrick's double to score the final run.

Butler relieved Fortenberry in the ninth and slammed the door with a 1-2-3 inning, earning his second save.

INSIDE THE BOX

K-State scored seven runs on 12 hits, committed one error and left 10 runners stranded on base, while Wichita State scored five runs with 10 hits, no errors, and left five on base.
Eight Wildcats produced a hit in the nightcap, led by Evasco's game-leading three-hit performance (3-for-5).
Kennedy and Gallagher each had two hits, while Kennedy and Vasquez each drove in two RBI.
Vasquez tripled in the sixth to score the game-winning run.
Four Shockers recorded two hits in the game, with Jayson Jones (2-for-4) leading all players with three RBI.
Arther (1-0) earned the victory in relief of Feser. He logged 2 2/3 innings and allowed two runs (earned) on four hits.
Fortenberry and Butler combined for three scoreless innings with Butler earning the save.
K-State's pitching staff issued just one walk in the midweek contest.
Owens (0-1) was tagged for the loss after surrendering both runs in the sixth.
Eight different pitchers made an appearance on the mound for Wichita State.

TEAM NOTES

The Wildcats have won five straight games against Wichita State and move to 49-58 in the all-time series, which includes an 8-5 record against the Shockers under Hughes.
K-State has recorded 10 or more hits in five of the last seven games, while outscoring opponents 64-33 in the stretch.
K-State has homered in five consecutive games, combining for 15 in the stretch.
The team's six-game winning streak is currently the second longest active winning streak in the Big 12 (7, Cincinnati).

PLAYER NOTES

Kennedy has homered in two straight games, tallying four in the stretch.
Butler has earned the save in his last two outings, totaling three in his K-State career.
Evasco leads the team with nine multi-hit performances, while he ties Kennedy with a team-high seven games with two or more RBI.
Robby Bolin has reached base in 15 consecutive games, while Ty Smolinski has recorded a hit in the last five – the team's second longest hitting streak.

UP NEXT
K-State will host South Dakota State (5-10, 0-0 Summit) Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Tointon Family Stadium to wrap its eight-game homestand. The midweek contest can be seen on ESPN+ and the ESPN app.

– k-statesports.com –

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