K-State 17-8 (3-3)
Kansas State’s last three-game series was against the Arizona State Sun Devils, where the Wildcats dropped two of three games, marking the team’s first home series loss since 2024. K-State had leads late in both of its losses but was unable to finish the job against a dynamic Sun Devil offense. Whether home or away, the Wildcats will need more from their bullpen to hold leads late, starting in the mountains against Utah.
Senior transfer Carlos Vasquez has gotten acquainted with his new Manhattan home, hitting .358 with 5 home runs and 33 RBIs. The Kansas native had high expectations for Pete Hughes’ offense, which has been meeting up to this point in the season. With Dee Kennedy having a monster season, Vasquez’s production will be key as teams may start to work around Kennedy.
Tazwell Butler is the Wildcats’ most used arm this year, making a team-leading 10 appearances out of the bullpen this season. Butler has a 7.90 ERA, which is too high for someone of his capabilities and someone whom Hughes trusts a lot. Butler has two saves on the year, but can be used in any role out of the bullpen. His leadership and arm will be key to turning around the K-State pen for the rest of the year.
Utah 13-9 (3-3)
Utah has been a strong offensive team so far this season, but its pitching staff gave up 10+ runs in all three games against Cincinnati last weekend. The Utes have a team ERA over five, and that’s hurt them this season in multiple games. Utah offensively doesn’t use the long ball as much, but has a full lineup of guys who can get on base, making them a tough out for nine innings.
Cameron Gurney and Jake Long spearhead the Utes’ offense, with these two leading the team in almost every offensive category. Gurney leads the team in batting average at .381 and is second on the team in home runs with three. Gurney is patient at the plate and walks more than he strikes out, as he battles in every at-bat.
Long is very similar to Gurney, hitting just below him at .360 on the season, but provides more power for the team with four home runs on the season. Long also battles at the plate and is looking to get on the base paths in any way possible for his team. K-State will most likely put up high run numbers this weekend, and for the Utes to stick with them, Long and Gurney will have to show out.
