No. 24 K-State Wins Slugfest Over Holy Cross in Home Opener

MANHATTAN, Kan. (K-State Sports) – Highlighted by five RBI from Jayden Lobliner and a three-run blast by Raphael Pelletier, K-State rallied to a 17-11 victory over Holy Cross in the 2024 home opener at Tointon Family Stadium on Friday afternoon.

After surrendering four runs in the opening frame, the No. 24 Wildcats (3-2) used a season-high 13 hits to score 17 runs in the series opener and first-ever meeting against the Crusaders (1-3).

“I’m a baseball coach and I don’t like those long games,” said head coach Pete Hughes. “You have to be patient in those games. So that’s the early message in the dugout in games like that. Don’t panic because you play nine innings.”

Lobliner, a sophomore from St. Charles, Ill., went 3-for-3 at the plate that included a game-tying, three-run blast and a two-run single to K-State a one run lead late in the sixth. Pelletier followed up with his first homer of the season to help the Wildcats take control of the game.

“I try to avoid superlatives describing kids, but in the conversation [Lobliner] is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached and a great teammate. Even when he wasn’t playing last year, he never wavered from his work ethic and his routine. That kind of effort puts him in a situation – when the opportunity calls – to have success.,” commented Hughes.

Alongside Lobliner, each member of the Wildcats’ lineup contributed to the home opening win, including two-hit days from Brady Day and David Bishop.

“We picked up Ty Ruhl, who’s one of the most consistent kids in our program over the last three years. He had a battle, and his teammates were there to pick him up. We got a lot of guys on the mound for the first time as Wildcats, and they did a commendable job. I was really happy with Sam Roberts, Adam Arthur, and Jackson Wentworth.”

K-State utilized six pitchers in the home opening win with newcomer Sam Roberts picking up his victory in relief. The right-hander from South Jordan, Utah surrendered just one hit in his 1 1/3 inning debut with no runs scored.

Redshirt-sophomore Jackson Wentworth was credited the save, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts.

“Wentworth has been rock-steady the entire year, so it was good to get him the ball at the end of the game there. I think he was a really good matchup for those guys.”

Holy Cross’ Jaden Wywoda (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing six earned runs on seven hits over his 3 1/3 innings.

THE RUNDOWN
Holy Cross plated four runs in the opening frame ignited by a leadoff homer by Sean Scanlon. The Wildcats responded with a pair of RBIs by Kaelen Culpepper and Day.

Trailing 6-2 in the third, Day hit through the 5-6 hole to snap right-hander Danny Macchiarola’s no-hitter and bring the score within three. With runners on first and second, Lobliner sent out a three-run blast to tie the game.

K-State loaded the bases with two walks and a hit by pitch before executing a triple steal with Danniel Rivera stealing home for the one-run lead, 7-6.

The lead was short lived as Holy Cross quickly responded with three runs.

The Wildcats worked from behind for the second time of game with a solo shot by Rivera that led to a five-run sixth inning. Lobliner continued to stay hot with his two-RBI single to put the Cats ahead, 10-9.

With two outs, Pelletier belted a three-run homer to right field to give K-State the go-ahead 13-9 lead.

K-State added four insurance runs to the board in bottom of the eighth, marking the highest scoring home opener since 2002.

INSIDE THE BOX

• K-State scored 17 runs on 13 hits with one error committed and seven left on base.
• Holy Cross registered 11 runs with 14 hits and one error, leaving runners stranded.
• Three Wildcats homered (Lobliner, Rivera, Pelletier)
• Lobliner went 3-for-4 with a game-high five RBI.
• Each player in the Cats lineup generated a hit.
• K-State drew nine walks, with four batters hit by a pitch.
• Wildcats hit 7-for-17 (.412) with runners and 6-for-16 (.375) in scoring position.
• Seven RBI came with two outs; hit .462 (6-for-13) with two outs.
• Holy Cross was 6-for-15 (.400) with men on base and 5-for-15 (.333) with runs in scoring position.
• K-State stole a season-high eight bases, including a triple steal.

NOTES

• Cats won the first-ever meeting against Holy Cross
• K-State moves to 3-0 against teams from the Patriot League
• Lobliner is the first Wildcat to drive in five RBI since May 26, 2023 (Kaelen Culpepper v. KU)
• First time a Cat has stolen home April 8, 2018 (Will Brennan v. Oklahoma State)
• K-State is 5-1 in home openers in the Pete Hughes era.
• Highest scoring and most runs scored in a home opener since 2002, vs. Doane (21-8)

UP NEXT
Game two against Holy Cross is slated for Saturday with a 4:05 first pitch inside Tointon Family Stadium. Saturday’s game will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ 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.

How to follow the ‘Cats: Stay up to date on K-State baseball online at www.kstatesports.com and on the team’s social media channels on Facebook, X formally known as Twitter and Instagram.

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