Errors Prove Costly, Mountaineers Even Series Saturday
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (K-State Athletics) – Three costly K-State errors led to nine unearned runs, as West Virginia shut out the Wildcats 13-0 Saturday night at Wagener Field at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
“Unfortunately, when you have nine unearned runs it’s tough to win the series clincher,” head coach Pete Hughes said. “On to tomorrow with a great opportunity for our guys to win a road series.”
WVU’s Derek Clark picked up his sixth victory of the year, as the senior lefty held the Wildcats to just two hits while striking out 10 of the 24 batters he faced (6-2).
“Clark was outstanding. His fastball command and secondary pitch mix were as good as we’ve seen all year,” said Hughes.
Five players contributed a hit for WVU (30-19, 16-10 Big 12), including multi-hit days from three. Sam White led the Mountaineers’ offense with five RBI, that included a three-run homer in the seventh.
In his fourth start of the season, Jackson Wentworth struck out seven batters in his 6 1/3 innings but suffered the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) on four hits with three walks (3-4).
“I thought Jackson was really good tonight and just ran into some bad luck with the weather.”
Brendan Jones, Nick English, and Chuck Ingram each recorded a hit for the Wildcats (29-20, 13-13 Big 12).
THE RUNDOWN
Wentworth retired eight consecutive batters before the Mountaineers grabbed the go-ahead lead in the third.
After two scoreless innings, the tie was broken up with three runs for WVU, as the Mountaineers capitalized on the rainy conditions led by a two-run single from Sam White.
Clark took a one-hitter into the sixth before English laced a single into left field to move Jones into scoring position, who was issued his 44th walk of the season. Jones stole third but was left stranded as the Mountaineers picked up two quick outs to protect the shut out.
A solo home run for All-American JJ Wetherholt in the sixth led the way as the Mountaineers scored 10 runs in a three-inning span to put the game away.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State was held to three hits and committed three errors with four runners left on base.
- WVU scored 13 runs on eight hits with no errors and left one on base.
- Jones, English, and Ingram each hit in the game.
- White drove in a game-high five RBI, that included a three-run homer.
- Wentworth took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) on four hits with seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings of work (3-4).
- Clark earned the victory, striking out 10 of the 24 batters he faced (6-2).
- WVU hit .556 (5-for-9) with runners on and went 4-for-8 in scoring position, as well is drove in nine two-out RBI.
NOTES
- West Virginia holds a 19-14 edge in the all-time series since the series start in 2013, including an 19-13 lead in Big 12 action.
- Cats move to 11-14 on the road this season, that includes 9-13 in true road games and 6-8 in Conference action.
ON DECK
K-State will go for the series win on Sunday, with the series finale scheduled for 12 p.m. CT at Wagener Field. The finale can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app, while radio coverage is available on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). A free, live streaming audio 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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