Kansas State baseball had an electric series opener against No. 15 Oklahoma State, battling the Cowboys to the very end of the game and into extra innings. Although OSU had the upper hand in the 12th inning, the Wildcats stayed steady and defeated the Cowboys 6-5 off the bat of first baseman David Bishop.
In a defensive-heavy first two innings, no runs were earned as both teams worked efficiently to end each other’s time at bat.
Both teams started to score in the third inning. After the Cowboys scored a homer on the first at bat, the Wildcats responded with a run of their own. Center fielder Brendan Jones singled up the middle, allowing infielder Jaden Parsons to score.
Shortstop Kaelen Culpepper had a highlight-worthy play that led to a run early on in the fourth inning. At bat, he grounded down to left field, notching a double. Next, designated hitter Cayden Phillips singled Culpepper in for K-State’s second run of the night, bringing the score to 2-1 Wildcats.
Culpepper made another stunning defensive play in the top of the fifth inning. A ball hit slightly away from left field ended with Culpepper making an off-platform throw to grab an out at first base.
The Cowboys made an offensive comeback in the fifth and sixth innings, managing to score a run in each one to go up 3-2.
With only one out to give, right fielder Nick English solo homered to left field. The Wildcats walked into the eighth inning tied 3-3.
In the top of the ninth, pitcher Tyson Neighbors allowed two walks but secured all three outs via strikeouts to keep the Cowboys off the board.
With a potential win in their grasp, Parsons managed to walk to first base. With one more out to spare, and fans on the edge of their seats, Parsons stole second base off a ground ball. On the next play, Jones grounded out to second, driving the game into extra innings.
The game ceased to have any action in extras until the top of the 12th inning. The Cowboys went on a scoring run, taking a 5-3 lead.
Backs against the wall, the Wildcats emerged in the bottom of the inning hoping to keep the game alive. After second baseman Brady Day hit a single, Culpepper hit the ball right between left and mid field, grabbing a double and advancing Day to third base.
Fortunately for the Wildcats, a walk from left fiedler Chuck Ingram filled the bases. With two outs to spare after Phillips struck out, Pelletier knocked a crucial double, sending Day and Culpepper home to tie it 5-5 while Ingram — the game-winning run — stood on third.
Next up, Bishop singled down left field, driving in Ingram for a walk-off victory for the Wildcats.
This jaw-dropping victory to the No. 2 conference team places K-State at a 23-14 record and 8-8 in conference play. The Wildcats will continue series play at 4 p.m. Saturday.