MANHATTAN, Kan. (K-State Athletics) – K-State baseball recorded its first shutout of the season on Wednesday night after defeating Creighton, 3-0, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb.
“I was very happy with tonight’s effort,” stated head coach Pete Hughes. “A road win versus a high RPI opponent helps us build our resume. It also helps us for this weekend.”
Cole Johnson sent out his fourth home run of the season to give the Wildcats (12-5) the go-ahead lead before they added insurance runs to the board with a two-run triple by Dom Hughes.
“We grabbed an early lead and had a great start from the pitching perspective along with some big hits. We made big time pitches and plays in key situations then closed the game out. These are the pieces to success in winning in conference play,” said Hughes.
Four pitchers combined for the midweek shutout with freshman Mason Buss (2-0) receiving his second consecutive victory on the mound. Buss tossed a one-hitter during his five innings to go along with a season-high seven strikeouts while Tyson Neighbors was credited with his second save of the year.
HOW IT HAPPENED
For the eighth time this season, K-State led off scoring in the first inning with the team’s 27th home run from Cole Johnson’s solo shot. After falling behind 0-2 in the count, the senior left fielder launched his fourth homer of the season out to left center to give the Wildcats the go-ahead lead.
Three straight hits from K-State plated two runs in the third as Brady Day singled up the middle before moving to third on a double down the left field line from Cash Rugely. With runners on second and third, designated hitter Dom Hughes turned on the first pitch sending a two-run triple down the right field line to make it 3-0.
Buss retired six straight batters to preserve the shutout including striking out the final three in order.
The Bluejays put pressure on the visitors after Hogan Hellisgo recorded just the second hit of the game before moving to scoring position on a wild pitch. A walk put the Cats in a first and second situation but K-State rolled its 14th double play of the season before Ty Ruhl struck out the final batter to end the threat.
Creighton’s reliever Dominic Cancellieri struck out nine of the 12 batters he faced to keep the game within three, leaving K-State without a hit until the ninth inning.
Nick Goodwin singled to center to give the Wildcats their first hit since the third frame before advancing to second on a grounder to the mound. K-State looked to add another run to the board after a walk positioned runners on first and second, but a groundout left it a three-run game.
K-State quickly recorded two outs with a pair of strikeouts from Neighbors until two straight walks placed pressure on the right-hander with the tying run at the plate. It took just three pitches for Neighbors to strikeout the final batter, sealing the shutout victory.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State scored three runs with three RBI on just seven hits, no errors and 12 left on base
- Buss, Cole Wisenbaker, Ty Ruhl and Tyson Neighbors combined for a three-hitter in the shutout
- Dom Hughes led with two RBI followed by Johnson with one
- Brady Day was the only Wildcat with a multiple hit game
- Wildcats’ staff matched a season-high 14 strikeouts
NOTES
- Johnson becomes the fourth player to total four homers on the year
- Cats turned their 14th double play of the season
- K-State matched it’s longest winning streak in the Hughes era at eight (2022)
- The win puts K-State a game ahead of Oklahoma in the Big 12 standings
- K-State leads the all-time series 54-44-1 and 15-23 in Omaha
- First shutout since March 4, 2022 against Loyola Marymount in California
ON DECK
The Wildcats head to Waco, Texas on March 17-19 to go head-to-head with the Baylor Bears (6-11) in the Big 12 opening-weekend. Friday’s conference opener is slated for 6:30 p.m. at Baylor Ballpark.
