Kansas State baseball opened up its series against Houston with a 5-2 victory, setting the tone for a potential big weekend for the ‘Cats.
“Friday night wins are like gold, I thought we set the tone and energy level from the get-go, which is crucial in a series, especially at home on a Friday night,” head coach Pete Hughes said.
Left-handed pitcher Jacob Frost hit the mound for the Wildcats, holding an 0-2 record with a 4.68 ERA, and was looking to keep the momentum rolling from a strong last start against Kansas.
Frost was excellent again, going seven innings while throwing well over 100 pitches. Frost struck out eight batters in the game and allowed just four hits to the Cougars.
“[Frost] is a bull,” Hughes said. “Physically, he doesn’t tire. He is a veteran guy, when he slows the game down, he’s not getting worked up to make pitch after pitch.”
Frost left the game after the seventh inning in line for his first win of the season, which was long overdue for him as he’s given the ‘Cats great outings all year on Fridays.
Getting Frost the early lead was outfielder Keegan O’Connor, who blasted a three-run home run into the wind in the second inning. With the wind blowing in, the home run by O’Connor showcased the power he possesses.
“A three-run homer, there is nothing like it,” Hughes said. “I was happy for him, he is constantly making adjustments and looking for feedback.”
In the top of the third, Houston scored a run back after getting the first three batters on. The Cougars had runners on second and third with just one out before a hard smash to third baseman Dee Kennedy, who made a great play and threw a potential second run out at the plate. Frost retired the second batter, and K-State limited the damage to just one run and kept its 3-1 lead.
K-State scored a run in both the third and fourth innings to extend its lead up to 5-1. In the fourth inning, K-State knocked the Houston pitcher out of the game, getting to the Cougars’ bullpen early in the game and the series.
In the sixth inning, Houston notched a lead-off single and moved him over to third, but with two outs. However, in the middle of the next at-bat, Frost was called for a balk, which allowed the run to come home and score.
The K-State dugout disagreed, claiming Frost was off the rubber and therefore could not have balked, leading to an ejection for Hughes.
“Once you’re off the rubber, it’s fair game, you can throw the ball, it’s not a ball or strike, and it’s not a balk either,” Hughes said.
With the run, Houston cut the score down to three, but it ended up being harmless in the end. In relief of Frost, Ty Ruhl and James Guyette came in and pitched two scoreless innings, with Guyette getting the save in the ninth.
K-State will now play to clinch the series on Saturday with Michael Quevedo on the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Tointon Family Stadium.
