Tanner Duke got the evening started for Kansas State on the mound, but that didn’t faze Omaha. The Mavericks built momentum early, as they started the top of the first with two runs and a home run to deep center field from designated hitter Nick Riggs. The Wildcats stayed quiet during the bottom of the first, responding with zero runs.

The runs continued to stack in the bottom of the second, as a double, ground out and single gave Omaha a 6-0 advantage.

“For those guys to come on the road and in a powerful environment and jump out on a lead, that’s what you’re supposed to do on the road.” K-State head coach Pete Hughes said.

Through two innings of play, Duke faced 14 batters, giving up six runs on eight hits, including a home run. In the bottom of the second, the first sign of offense for the Wildcats came from designated hitter Micah Kendrick, with a single to right field. 

With two strikes, Omaha had a chance to shut out K-State once again on a double play, but a fielding error allowed right fielder AJ Evasco to reach first and Kendrick to advance to second. With the second inning still alive, center fielder Cadyn Karl was walked to load the bases for the ‘Cats. 

After the free pass, first baseman Chandler Murray hit a much-needed single for K-State, allowing Evasco and Kendrick to score. Karl also brought in a run before the end of the second inning, bringing the Wildcats within three, 6-3, going into the third.

K-State started the third with Austin Haley on the mound, but a fielding error by Karl allowed Omaha left fielder Hayden Lewis to advance all the way to third base, eventually scoring. Lewis would be the only run of the inning for the Mavericks, as they led 7-3.

In the bottom of the third inning, Wildcat fans at Tointon Family Stadium rose to their feet quickly as shortstop Dee Kennedy led off with a home run to deep left field. K-State left fielder Nick English brought in a run as well, lowering the deficit to 7-5 going into the fourth. 

Omaha continued to hit the ball in the right spots, though, as Henry Zipay reeled in a run. This would be the only run of the inning, but through the first four innings of the game, the Mavericks still had yet to be shut out for a single frame. 

That was until the top of the fifth inning, when the Wildcats held Omaha to zero runs. If there was any chance to tie the game or take the lead, the bottom of the fifth seemed like the best time for K-State. Before tonight’s game, the Wildcats had outscored their opponents this season 59-15 in the fifth inning. 

But for tonight, that stat did not hold true, as K-State was also shut out in the bottom of the fifth. After the Wildcats once again held Omaha to zero runs in the top of the sixth, Evasco got the bottom half started with a single to right field.

However, unfortunately for K-State, Evasco’s hit was the most interesting thing to happen for the Wildcats. This would mark two innings in a row without a run from either team going into the seventh, maintaining the Mavericks’ 8-5 lead.

But after two scoreless innings in a row, Omaha woke up. Catcher Cardel Dick homered to deep center field, creating a silent atmosphere amongst fans at Tointon Family Stadium. The solo shot would be the only highlight of the inning for the Mavericks, as they led 9-5 heading into the bottom half of the seventh.

Although Omaha ended its scoring drought, the same could not be said for K-State. The Wildcats now had four innings in a row without a run. In the top of the eighth, K-State would sub in two pitchers, as both Billy Eich and Adan Longoria had time on the mound. The Mavericks finished the inning with zero runs and left two on base.

The Wildcats began to show life in the bottom of the eighth, as Evasco and Karl managed to get on base with just one out. Karl would be thrown out at second on a fielder’s choice, but Evasco was able to advance to third base. Omaha did not give in, though, managing to escape the eighth inning and shut out K-State for the fifth inning in a row.

In the top of the ninth, the Mavericks found themselves with one out and two on base. Omaha made the most of the opportunity, extending its lead to 12-5 during the three-run inning.

The seven-run deficit would prove to be too much for the Wildcats. K-State was able to get two on base in the bottom of the ninth, but it was not enough as Omaha took the win 12-5, marking six straight innings without a Wildcat crossing the plate to end the game.

“They played better than we did tonight, that’s for sure,” Hughes said. “Every phase was better, their pitching and their bullpen.”

Murray finished with two RBIs for the second game in a row, and Kennedy finished with a home run and an RBI. Five different Wildcats contributed runs in the game.

“I think the sky’s the limit for Chandler [Murray],” Hughes said.

K-State now hits the road, with Arizona next on the schedule. Game one of the series will begin at 8 p.m. this Friday.