Four runs came home in the top of the first inning for K-State in Lincoln on Wednesday night with a two-run double by Shane Conlon and RBI singles from Tyler Stover and Blair DeBord, and the Cats were already thinking about a season sweep of rival Nebraska. But, the Huskers stormed back with 10 runs of their own in the first five innings en route to a 14-5 victory at Hawks Field to salvage the non-conference series.
The top three batters in the Nebraska led the charge on a night with 22 hits, as Ryan Boldt, Jake Placzek and Michael Pritchard went a combined 12-for-14 at the plate. That trio also scored eight runs and knocked in four.
Landon Busch (2-2) took the loss for K-State, surrendering four runs on six hits and a walk in two and two thirds innings of work. Jordan Witcig and Braxton Wilks also each gave up four runs out of the bullpen.
R.J. Santigate was the Wildcats’ bright spot offensively, with four hits in as many at-bats, two stolen bases and a run scored.
Nebraska reliever Colton Howell (1-0) claimed the win on the mound by calming the waters after K-State’s big first inning. He pitched three inning by allowing just one run on three hits with two strikeouts.
The Cats fall to 20-17 on the season. They’ll welcome Baylor to Tointon Family Stadium for a three-game series that starts on Thursday night with the Easter holiday on Sunday. First pitch is at 6:30pm, and the BD4 Distributing/Cary Company pregame show gets underway at 6:00 on NewsRadio 1350 KMAN.
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