Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics
AUSTIN, Texas – K-State fell, 8-2, on Sunday afternoon as No. 21 Texas claimed the Big 12 series win at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
The Wildcats (20-14, 6-6 Big 12) got a solo homer from Cole Johnson in the fourth for the team's 47th home run of the season.
"We just couldn't get the big hit," Pete Hughes said. "Anytime you leave 13 runners on base and score two runs you're usually lacking that game changing hit. Texas on the other hand was the better two-out team today and that was the difference in the game."
Five players registered a hit on Sunday led by senior first baseman Roberto Pena who went 2-for-3 with a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Cash Rugely led off the game with a double into right before the senior touched home on Nick Goodwin's seventh sac fly of the season to open scoring.
Texas answered in the bottom of the first frame with a pair of runs to take the lead led by a two-run homer from Garret Guillemette until a two-out two-RBI double extended the lead out to three, 4-1.
With one out, Johnson launched his seventh homer of the season as the senior drove a 1-1 pitch out to right field to bring the game back within two.
The Longhorns added two to the board in the bottom of the fourth with a ground-rule double building off a pair of ejections including head coach David Pierce.
Texas plated their final two runs in the fifth to secure the series victory.
Right-handed starter Jackson Wentworth (1-3) received the loss after allowing four runs (four earned) on three hits during his two-inning outing.
The Longhorns' Charlie Hurley was rewarded the victory moving to 3-0 on the year.
K-State's bullpen allowed four runs (four earned) on nine hits, combining for six strikeouts while Mason Buss and Shay Hartis each registered a shutout inning.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State scored two runs on six hits with 13 left on base
- The Cats walked on seven occasions
- Jackson Wentworth received the loss allowing four earned runs on three hits
- Five different players recorded a hit
- Pena went 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk
- Goodwin leads the Big 12 with seven sac flies
- Johnson hit his seventh homer of the season
- The Cats were 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position
- Texas scored eight runs on 12 hits
- Neither team committed an error
- UT hit .357 (5-for-14) with runners in scoring position and recorded seven two-out RBI
NOTES
- K-State moves to 6-6 in league action to rank fifth in the standings while the victory moved Texas to first
- Texas leads the all-time series 63-23-1 and 36-12-1 in Austin
- The Cats hit .229 in the series with 13 runs and 12 RBI
- Jones reached base for the 24th straight game
ON DECK
The Cats return home to take on Creighton (14-11, 2-1 Big East) on Monday night with first pitch slated for 6:02 p.m. The non-conference matchup streamed on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app with radio coverage available on KMAN (93.3FM/1350AM) and a free live audio available at kstatesports.com/watch.