Friday, April 17
Tucson, Ariz.
8 p.m.
Kansas State University
at
Arizona
K-State Embarks on Second Half of Big 12 Slate at Arizona
Apr 16, 2026 | Baseball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State baseball is set to begin the second half of its Big 12 schedule Friday, as the Wildcats open a three-game series at Arizona at 8 p.m. CT from Hi Corbett Field.
The second game of the series is also scheduled for an 8 p.m. first pitch while Sunday's finale will begin at 2 p.m.
The three-game set will broadcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN app, while fans can also tune in on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). A free live stream audio is available at kstatesports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app.
Single-game tickets are available for all Wildcat home games at Tointon Family Stadium, fans can visit kstatesports.com/tickets call 1-800-221-CATS (2287), or stop 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 38
K-State (23-14, 7-8 Big 12) at Arizona (14-22, 5-10 Big 12)
Friday, April 17 // 8 PM CT // Hi Corbett Field// Tucson, AZ
Projected Starters: RHP James Guyette (5-1, 5.55 ERA) vs. RHP Owen Kramkowski (1-4, 5.66 ERA)
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: KMAN // Matt Walters
Listen: kstatesports.com/watch
Live Stats: kstate.statbroadcast.com
GAME 39
K-State (23-14, 7-8 Big 12) at Arizona (14-22, 5-10 Big 12)
Saturday, April 18 // 8 PM CT // Hi Corbett Field// Tucson, AZ
Projected Starters: LHP Lincoln Sheffield (5-1, 5.74 ERA) vs. RHP Smith Bailey (3-2, 4.74 ERA)
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: KMAN // Matt Walters
Listen: kstatesports.com/watch
Live Stats: kstate.statbroadcast.com
GAME 40
K-State (23-14, 7-8 Big 12) at Arizona (14-22, 5-10 Big 12)
Sunday, April 19 // 2 PM CT // Hi Corbett Field// Tucson, AZ
Projected Starters: TBA vs. LHP Luc Fladda (2-1, 5.17 ERA)
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: KMAN // Matt Walters
Listen: kstatesports.com/watch
Live Stats: kstate.statbroadcast.com
THE MATCHUP
K-State baseball (23-4, 7-8 Big 12) is set to begin the second half of its Big 12 schedule Friday, as the Wildcats open a three-game series at Arizona (14-22, 5-10 Big 12) at 8 p.m. CT from Hi Corbett Field … The second game of the series is also scheduled for an 8 p.m. first pitch while Sunday's finale will begin at 2 p.m.
FOLLOW THE CATS
The three-game Big 12 series is available on ESPN+ and the ESPN app … A free live streaming audio is available for all games at KStateSports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app ... Fans can also follow along opening weekend action through live stats by visiting the team's schedule page or on the Cats social media platforms (@KStateBSB).
A LOOK AT K-STATE
K-State is set to open the second half of its Big 12 schedule with a three-game series at Arizona on Friday … The Wildcats enter Friday's contest 23-14 overall with a 7-8 mark in league play … The Cats are coming off a 12-5 setback vs. Omaha Tuesday, as the Mavericks took game one of the home-and-home midweek series … The Wildcats are 16-6 overall against non-conference opponents … Six different Wildcats contributed a hit, while Chandler Murray drove in a team-high two RBI … Dee Kennedy recorded his 15th home run of the season. He is one short of tying the junior single-season home run record and two from the all-time single-season record (17) set by Keegan O'Connor in 2025 … Murray produced his second straight multi-RBI game and fourth overall of the season … The Wildcats are 5-5 in their last 10 outings, that includes a 3-4 mark in Big 12 games … As a team, the Cats are slashing .321/.432/.561 with 101 doubles – the second most in the country – to go along with nine triples and 61 home runs … Wildcat hurlers lead the league in walks allowed per nine innings (3.55) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.61).
THE WILDCAT ROTATION
Friday: James Guyette (5-1, 5.55 ERA) leads the pitching staff with a season-high 62 strikeouts, ranking fourth in the Big 12 … Guyette struck out a career- and team-high 12 batters in the series opener vs. OSU … He is the first Wildcat to strike out 12 since 2023.
Saturday: Lincoln Sheffield (5-1, 5.74 ERA), alongside Guyette, ranks second in the Big 12 with five wins (5) … Sheffield is averaging 1.91 walks allowed per nine innings – the third-best mark in the conference.
Sunday: TBA
SCOUTING ARIZONA
Arizona (14-22, 5-10 Big 12), the 2025 Big 12 Tournament Champions, is coming off one of its best weeks of the season, going 3-1 with a road series victory over TCU … The Wildcats have won their last two games after earning a clutch 5-3, 11-inning victory over rival Arizona State Monday night … Andrew Cain had a game-high three hits, including the go-ahead RBI double in the top of the 11th inning, while right-hander Garrett Hicks delivered 3.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn the win … The Wildcats never trailed in the contest, as they defeated the Sun Devils for the second time this season … Arizona recorded nine hits on the night … Frist baseman Tony Lira paces Arizona offensively, leading the team in batting average (.362), hits (54), slugging percentage (.523), and on-base percentage (.441) … As a team, the Wildcats are slashing .257/.348/.392 with 62 doubles, seven triples and 31 home runs … On the mound, Owen Kramkowski (1-4, 5.66 ERA) and Smith Bailey (3-2, 4.74 ERA) have made nine weekend starts, followed by Luc Fladda (2-1, 5.17 ERA) with eight... Hicks (3-0, 2.29 ERA) has made 13 appearances out of the pen and is second in the league with five saves …Arizona hurlers boast a 5.39 ERA with six saves … The staff has struck out 342 against 141 walks and limiting opponents to a .274 average.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Friday's contest marks just the third-ever meeting between Kansas State and Arizona on the diamond and first since February 18, 2022… Arizona leads the series 2-0 … Friday also marks the first matchup played in Tucson with both previous games played in Fresno, California and Arlington, Texas … Arizona has outscored K-State 14-7 in the series … In the last meeting in 2022, K-State turned a seven-run deficit into two after a five-run eighth, but the late-inning rally fell short, as No. 10 Arizona won the season opener 8-6 to begin the State Farm College Baseball Showdown at Globe Life Field.
RETURNING TO THE AZ
The Wildcats are making their second trip of the season to Arizona … K-State swept through the MLB Desert Invitational, going 4-0 over opening weekend and outscoring opponents 57-22 ... The Cats hit .396 over opening weekend with 53 hits, including 10 doubles, three triples and six home runs … Seven players hit over .350 over opening weekend at the preseason tournament, led by Carlos Vasquez's .556 average … The pitching staff boasted a 4.76 during their time in Arizona, striking out 40 against 14 walks … Starter James Guyette fanned eight batters on Opening Day, leading the Wildcats to a 15-6 victory over Iowa.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
K-State is 12-6 overall on the road this season, including a 6-5 edge in true road games … On the road, K-State is hitting .331 with eight players hitting above .300 led by Vasquez's .455 average and 34 RBI … Twelve players have combined for K-State 32 home runs on the road led Kennedy, who has sent eight deep … He has scored a team-leading 29 runs with 18 walks on the road… The pitching staff boasts a 5.78 ERA on the road, issuing 50 walks against 137 strikeouts, while opponents are hitting .292 against the Wildcats.
GOT OUR GUY
Right-hander James Guyette delivered a dominant outing on the mound, punching out 12 Cowboys Friday night to help lead K-State to a series victory over Oklahoma State and earn his fifth victory of the season ... Guyette, a native of Newbury Park, California, became the first pitcher since Owen Boerema in April 2023 to strike out 12 in a game ... He finished the series opener allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits with one walk over a career-high seven innings, including striking out the side in the first and fifth ... After surrendering the Cowboys' three runs in the second, Guyette settled in and retired 18 of the final 21 batters he faced ... Guyette's 12 strikeouts led all Big 12 players during the week, bringing his season total to 62, which ranks fourth overall.
CATS IN THE BIG 12
K-State returns to Big 12 action after taking two of three games against Oklahoma State to claim its second Big 12 series win of 2026 … The Cats completed the first half of their league schedule with a 7-8 record with series wins over Houston and Oklahoma State … The Wildcats are out-hitting opponents .344-.312 with a 21+ run differential … Three of five conference victories came in run-rule fashion … Catcher Bear Madliak leads the offense in league games, hitting .423, while Carlos Vasquez has posted a team-high 24 RBI… Eight hitters are hitting over .300 in conference games … K-State is 29-38 on the bases led by nine stolen bases from Kennedy … K-State pitchers have struck out 139 and issued 59 walks for a 2.36 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS
K-State has a season +111 run differential through 37 games, averaging 9.6 runs on 10.9 hits ... The Wildcats have outscored opponents 59-16 in the fifth inning alone, along with a 19-5 run advantage in the ninth … Cats are 18-4 when leading after six innings 1-3 when tied after six ... K-State is 9-5 when committing no errors in a game … Conversely, K-State has won 14 games when one or more errors are committed, 14-9 overall ... The Wildcats are 15-5 when scoring first and 10-4 when scoring in the first inning … K-State has outhit opponents in 17 contests this season and is 5-11 when being outhit, and 2-2 when hits are tied … The Cats are 15-5 when limiting opponents to five or less runs and are 4-7 in games decided by two or fewer runs … K-State is 10-8 when playing afternoon games and 13-6 when playing under the lights … The Cats have won 19 games against right-handed starters while going 4-4 against lefties.
The second game of the series is also scheduled for an 8 p.m. first pitch while Sunday's finale will begin at 2 p.m.
The three-game set will broadcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN app, while fans can also tune in on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). A free live stream audio is available at kstatesports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app.
Single-game tickets are available for all Wildcat home games at Tointon Family Stadium, fans can visit kstatesports.com/tickets call 1-800-221-CATS (2287), or stop 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 38
K-State (23-14, 7-8 Big 12) at Arizona (14-22, 5-10 Big 12)
Friday, April 17 // 8 PM CT // Hi Corbett Field// Tucson, AZ
Projected Starters: RHP James Guyette (5-1, 5.55 ERA) vs. RHP Owen Kramkowski (1-4, 5.66 ERA)
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: KMAN // Matt Walters
Listen: kstatesports.com/watch
Live Stats: kstate.statbroadcast.com
GAME 39
K-State (23-14, 7-8 Big 12) at Arizona (14-22, 5-10 Big 12)
Saturday, April 18 // 8 PM CT // Hi Corbett Field// Tucson, AZ
Projected Starters: LHP Lincoln Sheffield (5-1, 5.74 ERA) vs. RHP Smith Bailey (3-2, 4.74 ERA)
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: KMAN // Matt Walters
Listen: kstatesports.com/watch
Live Stats: kstate.statbroadcast.com
GAME 40
K-State (23-14, 7-8 Big 12) at Arizona (14-22, 5-10 Big 12)
Sunday, April 19 // 2 PM CT // Hi Corbett Field// Tucson, AZ
Projected Starters: TBA vs. LHP Luc Fladda (2-1, 5.17 ERA)
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: KMAN // Matt Walters
Listen: kstatesports.com/watch
Live Stats: kstate.statbroadcast.com
THE MATCHUP
K-State baseball (23-4, 7-8 Big 12) is set to begin the second half of its Big 12 schedule Friday, as the Wildcats open a three-game series at Arizona (14-22, 5-10 Big 12) at 8 p.m. CT from Hi Corbett Field … The second game of the series is also scheduled for an 8 p.m. first pitch while Sunday's finale will begin at 2 p.m.
FOLLOW THE CATS
The three-game Big 12 series is available on ESPN+ and the ESPN app … A free live streaming audio is available for all games at KStateSports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app ... Fans can also follow along opening weekend action through live stats by visiting the team's schedule page or on the Cats social media platforms (@KStateBSB).
A LOOK AT K-STATE
K-State is set to open the second half of its Big 12 schedule with a three-game series at Arizona on Friday … The Wildcats enter Friday's contest 23-14 overall with a 7-8 mark in league play … The Cats are coming off a 12-5 setback vs. Omaha Tuesday, as the Mavericks took game one of the home-and-home midweek series … The Wildcats are 16-6 overall against non-conference opponents … Six different Wildcats contributed a hit, while Chandler Murray drove in a team-high two RBI … Dee Kennedy recorded his 15th home run of the season. He is one short of tying the junior single-season home run record and two from the all-time single-season record (17) set by Keegan O'Connor in 2025 … Murray produced his second straight multi-RBI game and fourth overall of the season … The Wildcats are 5-5 in their last 10 outings, that includes a 3-4 mark in Big 12 games … As a team, the Cats are slashing .321/.432/.561 with 101 doubles – the second most in the country – to go along with nine triples and 61 home runs … Wildcat hurlers lead the league in walks allowed per nine innings (3.55) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.61).
THE WILDCAT ROTATION
Friday: James Guyette (5-1, 5.55 ERA) leads the pitching staff with a season-high 62 strikeouts, ranking fourth in the Big 12 … Guyette struck out a career- and team-high 12 batters in the series opener vs. OSU … He is the first Wildcat to strike out 12 since 2023.
Saturday: Lincoln Sheffield (5-1, 5.74 ERA), alongside Guyette, ranks second in the Big 12 with five wins (5) … Sheffield is averaging 1.91 walks allowed per nine innings – the third-best mark in the conference.
Sunday: TBA
SCOUTING ARIZONA
Arizona (14-22, 5-10 Big 12), the 2025 Big 12 Tournament Champions, is coming off one of its best weeks of the season, going 3-1 with a road series victory over TCU … The Wildcats have won their last two games after earning a clutch 5-3, 11-inning victory over rival Arizona State Monday night … Andrew Cain had a game-high three hits, including the go-ahead RBI double in the top of the 11th inning, while right-hander Garrett Hicks delivered 3.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn the win … The Wildcats never trailed in the contest, as they defeated the Sun Devils for the second time this season … Arizona recorded nine hits on the night … Frist baseman Tony Lira paces Arizona offensively, leading the team in batting average (.362), hits (54), slugging percentage (.523), and on-base percentage (.441) … As a team, the Wildcats are slashing .257/.348/.392 with 62 doubles, seven triples and 31 home runs … On the mound, Owen Kramkowski (1-4, 5.66 ERA) and Smith Bailey (3-2, 4.74 ERA) have made nine weekend starts, followed by Luc Fladda (2-1, 5.17 ERA) with eight... Hicks (3-0, 2.29 ERA) has made 13 appearances out of the pen and is second in the league with five saves …Arizona hurlers boast a 5.39 ERA with six saves … The staff has struck out 342 against 141 walks and limiting opponents to a .274 average.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Friday's contest marks just the third-ever meeting between Kansas State and Arizona on the diamond and first since February 18, 2022… Arizona leads the series 2-0 … Friday also marks the first matchup played in Tucson with both previous games played in Fresno, California and Arlington, Texas … Arizona has outscored K-State 14-7 in the series … In the last meeting in 2022, K-State turned a seven-run deficit into two after a five-run eighth, but the late-inning rally fell short, as No. 10 Arizona won the season opener 8-6 to begin the State Farm College Baseball Showdown at Globe Life Field.
RETURNING TO THE AZ
The Wildcats are making their second trip of the season to Arizona … K-State swept through the MLB Desert Invitational, going 4-0 over opening weekend and outscoring opponents 57-22 ... The Cats hit .396 over opening weekend with 53 hits, including 10 doubles, three triples and six home runs … Seven players hit over .350 over opening weekend at the preseason tournament, led by Carlos Vasquez's .556 average … The pitching staff boasted a 4.76 during their time in Arizona, striking out 40 against 14 walks … Starter James Guyette fanned eight batters on Opening Day, leading the Wildcats to a 15-6 victory over Iowa.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
K-State is 12-6 overall on the road this season, including a 6-5 edge in true road games … On the road, K-State is hitting .331 with eight players hitting above .300 led by Vasquez's .455 average and 34 RBI … Twelve players have combined for K-State 32 home runs on the road led Kennedy, who has sent eight deep … He has scored a team-leading 29 runs with 18 walks on the road… The pitching staff boasts a 5.78 ERA on the road, issuing 50 walks against 137 strikeouts, while opponents are hitting .292 against the Wildcats.
GOT OUR GUY
Right-hander James Guyette delivered a dominant outing on the mound, punching out 12 Cowboys Friday night to help lead K-State to a series victory over Oklahoma State and earn his fifth victory of the season ... Guyette, a native of Newbury Park, California, became the first pitcher since Owen Boerema in April 2023 to strike out 12 in a game ... He finished the series opener allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits with one walk over a career-high seven innings, including striking out the side in the first and fifth ... After surrendering the Cowboys' three runs in the second, Guyette settled in and retired 18 of the final 21 batters he faced ... Guyette's 12 strikeouts led all Big 12 players during the week, bringing his season total to 62, which ranks fourth overall.
CATS IN THE BIG 12
K-State returns to Big 12 action after taking two of three games against Oklahoma State to claim its second Big 12 series win of 2026 … The Cats completed the first half of their league schedule with a 7-8 record with series wins over Houston and Oklahoma State … The Wildcats are out-hitting opponents .344-.312 with a 21+ run differential … Three of five conference victories came in run-rule fashion … Catcher Bear Madliak leads the offense in league games, hitting .423, while Carlos Vasquez has posted a team-high 24 RBI… Eight hitters are hitting over .300 in conference games … K-State is 29-38 on the bases led by nine stolen bases from Kennedy … K-State pitchers have struck out 139 and issued 59 walks for a 2.36 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS
K-State has a season +111 run differential through 37 games, averaging 9.6 runs on 10.9 hits ... The Wildcats have outscored opponents 59-16 in the fifth inning alone, along with a 19-5 run advantage in the ninth … Cats are 18-4 when leading after six innings 1-3 when tied after six ... K-State is 9-5 when committing no errors in a game … Conversely, K-State has won 14 games when one or more errors are committed, 14-9 overall ... The Wildcats are 15-5 when scoring first and 10-4 when scoring in the first inning … K-State has outhit opponents in 17 contests this season and is 5-11 when being outhit, and 2-2 when hits are tied … The Cats are 15-5 when limiting opponents to five or less runs and are 4-7 in games decided by two or fewer runs … K-State is 10-8 when playing afternoon games and 13-6 when playing under the lights … The Cats have won 19 games against right-handed starters while going 4-4 against lefties.
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