Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics
IRVINE, Calif. – For the first time since 2013, K-State grabbed its 13th victory on the road as the Wildcats clinched the non-conference series against UC Irvine with a 6-4 triumph on Saturday at Anteater Ballpark.
"That was a team effort," head coach Pete Hughes said. "We had teammates picking each other up in every aspect of the game all day."
"The energy in our program this season has been phenomenal. We were tough with two outs and tough on the road," said Hughes.
The Wildcats (26-15) had six players record hits on their way to capture their fourth three-game series win of the season. Senior Roberto Pena went 2-for-4 at the play including his 11th homer which ties fourth in the Big 12.
Four players saw action on the mound with California native Blake Corsentino receiving his second victory in relief after tossing a shutout inning. Kyler Heyne, a sophomore from Frisco, Texas, was credited his first save as a Wildcat.
"I was very proud of Kyler Heyne today and how he stepped up. It was a great birthday performance for him."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The 'Eaters struck first with a two-run homer out to right field by Jo Oyama to grab the 2-0 lead in the first frame.
K-State immediately responded in the top of the second that started off with Brady Day's 37th walk of the season. The redshirt-sophomore advanced 90-feet on a single from Cole Johnson before scoring on a hit through the left side by Raphael Pelletier.
With two outs, the Cats evened the score at 2-all after taking advantage of a ball lost in the sun to bring in the runner from second.
Brendan Jones and Nick Goodwin each laced a double into right center in the fifth to give the Wildcats their first lead of the game before Goodwin came across the plate on a single from Day.
UCI scored a run in two consecutive innings to level the board at 4-4 heading into the eighth frame.
The Cats quickly loaded the bases with a pair of walks and hit by pitch to bring Johnson up for his fourth at bat. With no outs, the senior hit a grounder to second to drive in the game-winning run from third.
Roberto Pena added insurance to the board when the Caracas, Venezuela product unloaded on a 1-0 pitch for his 11th homer of the season.
Heyne retired the side in the ninth to slam the door on the 'Eaters shot at a late rally.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State scored six runs on seven hits with no errors and six left on base
- Pena hit his 11th homer of the season to take the lead
- Six Wildcats registered a hit on Saturday
- Pena went 2-for-4 at the plate with a team-high two RBI
- Corsentino (2-0) earned his second win of the season
- Heyne picked up his first save as a Wildcat
- The bullpen combined for two strikeouts and five walks
- UCI scored four runs on six hits with one error and 11 stranded
- 'Eaters pitching staff combined for eight strikeouts and five walks
- Wheeler (2-1) received the loss
NOTES
- Cats tied school season record with 13 road victories; record set in 2013
- Rugely extended his on-base streak to 23 straight games followed by Day (21) and Pelletier (17)
- Cats lead the all-time series 5-2; 2-0 in Irvine
- K-State is 13-7 when playing in true road games; 13-10 overall on the road
ON DECK
The series finale is set for 3 p.m. CT on Sunday and will be streamed 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.