Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State dropped a 5-2 decision on Saturday afternoon as No. 14 Texas Tech retaliated to take game two of the conference series, forcing the rubber match.
The loss moved the Wildcats (27-17, 10-7 Big 12) to third in the Big 12 standings.
"Disappointing day because we left 12 runners on base," said Pete Hughes. "With a good conference weekend, you have to get the big hit and we needed one, but were unable to get it today."
German Fajardo (2-2) was credited the loss after allowing five earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts. Reliever Kyler Heyne tossed three shutout innings in his first outing of the series limiting the Red Raiders to one hit with three strikeouts.
"I thought Kyler came in and pitched great to give us a chance to get back in that game," said Hughes.
"Disappointing today because we had such a great crowd. I wish we played better in front of that crowd, but we will tomorrow."
Cash Rugely and Brady Day each went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the Cats offense while Day drove in the lone RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Red Raiders plated the first run of game two after scoring on a balk in the opening frame.
Leadoff Brendan Jones reached base on a throwing error until the sophomore advanced to third on a single from Cash Rugely who extended his on-base streak out to 26. With no outs, Brady Day hit a grounder to the right side to bring in the tying run.
The Wildcats took advantage of a throwing error to grab a one-run lead, 2-1, in the third inning.
Texas Tech used a pair of hits to take the lead in the fourth frame before Tracer Lopez launched a two-run homer in the sixth to make it 5-2.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State scored two runs on six hits with one error and 12 left on base
- Four players registered a hit on Saturday
- Day drove in the lone RBI
- Rugely and Day went 2-for-4 at the plate
- Fajardo (2-2) received the loss
- TTU scored five runs on seven hits with three errors and nine left stranded
NOTES
- Johnson expanded his hit streak out to eight
- Rugely extended his on-base streak to 26 straight games followed by Day (24) and Pelletier (20)
- TTU leads the all-time series 51-33-1
- Cats are 20-18 against the Red Raiders in Manhattan
- K-State move to 14-6 at home this season
- The Cats moves to third in the Big 12 standings at 10-7
ON DECK
The final game of the Big 12 series between the Cats and Red Raiders is slated for 1 p.m. Sunday at Tointon Family Stadium. The series finale will be streamed on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app with radio coverage on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). Live streaming audio is available for all games at KStateSports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app.