Kansas State baseball fell in back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wednesday in attempts to better their RPI with ranked road games. After suffering a 15-5 loss to No. 8 Tennessee Tuesday, the Wildcats moved on to No. 10 Clemson, falling 8-3. Starting pitcher Andrew Evans received the loss Wednesday after pitching three innings and allowing five earned runs.

K-State had a slow start to the game both defensively and offensively, failing to score any runs and allowing five Clemson runs from the second and third inning. This started from a three-run home run by Tiger third baseman Nolan Nawrocki.

Clemson’s first run of the third inning came from a wild pitch but was followed up by a solo shot by center fielder Alden Mathes to go up 5-0.

The Wildcats bounced back, scoring two runs in the fifth and sixth inning. While ending the day 0-5 from the plate, shortstop Kaelen Culpepper managed to drive in a run with a fielder’s choice grounder to shortstop, allowing left fielder Chuck Ingram to score K-State’s first run.

K-State’s run in the sixth inning came without a hit. Catcher Raphael Pelletier sent a pop-fly to right field, granting designated hitter Jayden Lobliner to score a run. 

The Tigers pulled away from the Wildcats in the bottom of the eighth inning after a scoreless seventh inning. They gained three runs, all from zero hits: a walk, fielder’s choice and another wild pitch, increasing the score to 8-2 Clemson.

Second baseman Brady Day managed to send first baseman David Bishop home off a single in the ninth inning, but that was all the offense managed. Lobliner had a chance at the plate with bases loaded, but struck out to end the game.

This loss places the Wildcats at a 7-4 record as Big 12 play begins. The Wildcats open up conference play with a three-game home series against Cincinnati at Tointon Family Stadium 6 p.m. Friday.