Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics
STILLWATER, Okla. – No. 13 Oklahoma State used a seven-run third inning to defeat No. 15 K-State in seven innings Sunday at O'Brate Stadium to capture the Big 12 series.
The Cowboys improved to 35-15 and 13-8 in league action to stand alone second in the conference standings while the Cats dropped to 32-20 and 12-9, tying third with Texas. Despite the series loss, the Cats' RPI position jumped seven spots to No. 47 from a week ago with an eye on postseason.
"We were unable to stay away from the big inning," head coach Pete Hughes said. "You can't let a team that's very good at home jump out a lead. They did that and kept the momentum. Can't take anything away from our opponent, they played great, but we also weren't very fundamentally sound today which hurt us more," said Hughes.
K-State was held to just four hits on the afternoon with two coming from Brady Day who recorded his 60th hit of the season. Brendan Jones and Kyan Lodice each drove in an RBI.
Freshman Mason Buss (4-3) received the loss allowing seven earned runs on six hits during his sixth start of the season while Ty Ruhl tossed 3 2/3 innings in relief.
HOW IT HAPPENED
K-State picked up two quick outs in the bottom of the first before a walk and hit by pitch brought OSU's Nolan Shubart up to bat leading to the freshman's three-run blast.
Lodice walked to lead off the third until the Omaha, Neb. product stole second to move into scoring position. Raphael Pelletier walked two batters later before Lodice stole third to make it first and third. With one out, Jones singled through the right side to bring the game within two, 3-1.
The Cowboys immediately responded in the bottom of the inning to take control of the game as they sent 11 to the plate, scoring seven runs on eight hits.
Lodice drove in the Cats final run of the series with a single out to right, scoring Cole Johnson after the senior reached on a walk during the fourth.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State scored two runs on four hits with three left on base and two errors
- Three Wildcats recorded a hit
- Day went 2-for-3 at the plate
- Buss (4-3) received the loss
- Ruhl tossed 3 2/3 innings in relief with three strikeouts
- OSU scored 12 runs on 13 hits with two left on base and one error
- Benge (2-1) earned the win throwing five complete innings
NOTES
- Day's on-base streak improved to 32; Rugely's streak came to an end at 33
- Day recorded his 60th hit of the season
- OSU leads the all-time series 178-60; 103-18 in Stillwater
- The Cats finished the regular-season 14-11 in true road games
ON DECK
The Cats wrap up the regular-season at Tointon Family Stadium this weekend when they host TCU for the final Big 12 series beginning on Thursday, May 18 with first pitch slated at 6 p.m. K-State will honor graduating players and staff prior to Saturday's series finale.