A tie game going into the eighth inning creates an intense atmosphere, and one that the Wildcats have continued to face this season. While throws from the mound were not the best for K-State early, the ‘Cats’ bats came out late to seal game one of a three-game series against Texas Christian.
James Guyette started on the mound for the Wildcats, allowing eight runs and striking out three batters over three innings.
In the first inning, the Horned Frogs’ Noah Franco sent a double down the right foul line to score the first two runs of the game.
Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Guyette walked and hit a batter, adding another run before closing out the inning with a strikeout.
K-State knew they had to go to work after TCU led 3-0 early, and they did. With a rip down the third base line, Bear Madliak doubled and sent Dee Kennedy home from second base. After a strikeout looking by AJ Evasco, Carlos Vasquez was at the plate with a 2-0 count and two outs, and singled to center field, scoring Madliak from second base.
Grant Gallagher struck out to end the inning, leaving the Wildcats behind by one, 3-2.
After a quiet second inning for both teams, TCU got it going again in the top of the third, laying down a sacrifice bunt to move two baserunners into scoring position. This would benefit the Horned Frogs as Nolan Traeger hit a two-RBI single, extending their lead, 5-2
Guyette would pitch consistently to get a groundout along with a flyout to finish the inning.
The Wildcats responded with a rally in the bottom of the third, scoring all six runs on two outs. The first of two home runs came from Vasquez as he hit a two-run homer to deep right field, putting K-State within one, 5-4. As a diversion, Gallagher stole second base, allowing Shintaro Inoue to steal home. After a walk to Ty Smolinski, Cadyn Karl smashed a three-run homer, taking the lead from TCU 8-5.
“That kind of showed our how multi-dimensional we can be in that one inning to get us back in the game,” K-State head coach Pete Hughes said.
The rally on two outs would conclude as Nick English hit a line drive to right field for out number three.
A pitching change came for the Wildcats during the fourth inning, as Tazwell Butler replaced Guyette. Butler came in and meant business, throwing competitive pitches and letting his team make plays as the Horned Frogs went three up and three down.
K-State’s time with the lead would be short-lived, however, as the battle of the purple continued. During the fourth and fifth innings, the Wildcats’ bats would go silent, and TCU added on four runs between the two innings, taking back the lead, 9-8.
The battle continued into the sixth inning, starting with a solo home run from the Horned Frogs’ Chase Brunson into deep right field. With two outs on the board, another run came when Kyuss Gargett singled to center field, scoring Noah Franco and extending TCU’s lead, 11-8.
In response, the Wildcats came up to the plate swinging and scored two more runs. Evasco reached first on a fielder’s choice, sending English home and Kennedy to third. Evasco was soon caught stealing, but Kennedy was able to score during the gun-down, closing the scoring gap to 11-10.
The Horned Frogs sent a runner home on a double to add to their lead, 12-10. K-State struggled at the mound as TCU timed up Butler, giving Adam Arther an opportunity for some relief. With two outs already on the board, Arther finished the half inning to keep the Horned Frogs’ lead to a minimum.
The Wildcats continued the scoring surge in the bottom of the seventh, scoring two runs. On the first pitch, Smolinski made contact and reached first on a fielder’s choice, sending Vasquez home. Later in the lineup and with the bases loaded, Kennedy would walk. This would tie the game 12-12, adding an exciting competitive edge to the purple matchup.
Inning eight was fierce, with both teams trying to throw the other’s game off. K-State would struggle on the mound again, after several walks from Arther. Miles Smith made the exchange and would end up adding the win to his season totals. Only seeing four batters, Smith struck out two with no hits and no runs.
Despite the pressure on the line, the Wildcats’ defense came with a focused intensity. Smith struck out two batters himself, and the third grounded out to third base. While K-State stopped the Horned Frogs from scoring, the ‘Cats’ bats had to get on a hot streak — and they did.
Strategic planning from both coaching staffs occurred as pitching changes were made, along with substituting pinch hitters into the lineup as well. Gallagher got it started for K-State as he stayed patient at the plate, watching all four pitches go around the strike zone, and respectfully taking his base. Smolinski made contact and sent the ball to first, where, by fielder’s choice, Gallagher was thrown out at second. But with one on base, pinch-hitter Kyan Lodice would battle at the plate against seven pitches before getting walked.
Trying to switch things up and stop the pattern of K-State baserunners, TCU made defensive changes at the mound and left field. Hughes would also make a change, putting Micah Kendrick as a pinch hitter for English. Kendrick singled to right field after a long-awaited time at the plate, including nine pitches before finding the grass.
The Wildcats looked in good position, having Smolinski on third and Lodice on second. The batter to be called up to the plate next was Kennedy, who completed his task. Despite flying out to center field, the ball traveled deep enough for Smolinski to score, ending the purple power matchup with a walkoff sacrifice fly to take the game one victory over TCU 13-12.
“I just love the fact that we won late,” Hughes said. “And you can win on Friday night, and just gives you a lot of leverage.”
K-State moves to 20-10 overall and 5-5 in Big 12 play. The series continues on April 4, with the first pitch at 4 p.m.
“We needed to win late,” Hughes said. “And especially to do it at home, it can give you some momentum that you can ride for a little bit. So that’s what I’m hoping happens.”
