Payton Lee
K-State players and coaches break down the huddle to celebrate a 3-0 sweep of the Utah Utes on March 16, 2025.
Kansas State baseball fell to Oklahoma State 4-3, 7-0, and 10-2 as Oklahoma State simply used a combination of plus pitching and solid hitting to take the series sweep.
K-State, which dropped to 20-11 and 8-4 in Big 12, entered Sunday looking to salvage a Friday night loss to the Cowboys, who entered the series last in the Big 12. Inclement weather forced the game on Saturday to be rescheduled.
In Game 1 of the doubleheader, K-State faced off against Sean Youngerman for Oklahoma State, who took a perfect game into the sixth inning before K-State broke it up with a single. Youngerman allowed no more damage and completed eight innings, throwing 133 pitches and striking out 11 batters.
With Sunday being a doubleheader, Youngerman’s ability to pitch deep into the contest allowed Oklahoma State to have most of their bullpen available for the second contest..
In the first game, K-State had three hits and was shut out. Oklahoma State scored seven runs on six hits which included a five-run inning to give them a big lead.
In Game 2 of the doubleheader, K-State found itself down early again, with OSU going for two runs in the first inning. After being held scoreless for 11 innings, K-State broke through in the third thanks to a game-tying two-run home run from freshman AJ Evasco.
The tie didn’t last long as Oklahoma State scored a run in both the fourth and fifth innings and then exploded for six runs in the sixth. The rally gave them a 10-2 lead and the Cowboys were able to cruise to victory.
“Frustrating day for our program,” seventh-year head coach Pete Hughes said to K-State Athletics. “We didn’t pitch, play defense, or hit like we were capable.”
The Wildcats’ best game of the series came on Friday, but they still saw Oklahoma State come out with a 4-3 victory.
On the mound for Oklahoma State was their ace Harrison Bodendorf and he pitched like one as he went seven innings and struck out 12 batters. He also only allowed the ‘Cats two hits in his outing.
Pitching for the Wildcats was Jacob Frost and he did great work too as he allowed just two Oklahoma State runs and struck out nine batters in his outing.
“We only had a shot in the ninth because Jacob Frost was a bulldog and made high-leverage pitch after pitch,” Hughes said. “All that said, Harrison Bodendorf was dominant tonight for OSU.”
In the ninth, K-State trailed 4-1 but got two runners on and scored those two. Still, it needed one more big hit to complete the comeback that didn’t come, and as a result lost by just a run.
Oklahoma State, who has struggled a bit in Big 12 play so far, may have found its footing a little bit this weekend. The Cowboys were the preseason Big 12 favorite and they played like it against the previously conference-leading ‘Cats. OSU also got a big weekend from the preseason player of the year in the Big 12 and probable first-round pick in the MLB draft, Nolan Schubert.
“I do know this, our kids, they are tough and resilient and can handle the adversity that we’ve been dealt,” Hughes said. “A college baseball season is about managing the highs and lows. The highs are fun and easy, but the lows are only for the tough and we are K-State tough.”
K-State returns home where they are 10-0, and looks to keep that streak alive as they host Missouri State on Tuesday.