K-STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
CINCINNATI, Ohio – K-State could not overcome the early seven runs Cincinnati put on the board, as the Bearcats dealt the Wildcats a 7-0 loss to clinch the final regular-season series Friday night at UC Baseball Stadium.
Cincinnati (31-22, 16-13 Big 12) spotted starter Michael Quevedo for all seven runs, as the senior lefty suffered his second consecutive loss, moving to 6-3 on the year.
Tanner Duke, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Baylor, held the Bearcats scoreless through six innings after entering the game in the third. The right-hander retired 11 of the first 15 batters he faced, including setting down the Bearcats in order in the fifth and eighth innings. Duke's six innings marked his longest relief outing of the year."
It was really disappointing that we couldn't take advantage of Tanner Duke's outing," said seventh-year head coach Pete Hughes. "He was really good after getting settled in and gave us chance to get ourselves back in that game."
"We'll have the bats ready tomorrow. We'll be ready. I have a strong belief in these guys," Hughes added.
Cincinnati utilized four pitchers in the shutout, combining for 12 strikeouts, with Brandon Scheurer picking up the win. The reliever limited the Wildcats to just two hits in his 2 2/3 innings (3-0).
Five different Wildcats generated a hit in the game highlighted by doubles from Seth Dardar and Shintaro Inoue, who each went 2-for-4.
Maximus Martin, Bear Madliak and David Bishop all singled on the night.
Four of the Bearcats' 10 hits were for extra bases, including home runs by Kerrington Cross and Cal Sefcik.
K-State was 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, stranding eight runners on base.
Saturday's series finale and final game of the regular season is scheduled for noon CT/1 p.m. ET at UC Baseball Stadium.