HOUSTON, Texas (K-State Athletics) – K-State pushed its winning streak to nine games after completing the series sweep of Houston Sunday, earning a 9-3 win at Schroeder Park, highlighted by a five-hit day from second baseman Brady Day.
“What a great weekend for our team,” said head coach Pete Hughes. “You have to be efficient on the road, especially in conference play when you’re gunning for the ultimate goal. We have a big week ahead, but really proud of what this group accomplished this week.”
The game was dead locked at 2-2 leading into the seventh, until the Cats (17-6, 5-1 Big 12) scored seven runs in a two-inning span to capture their sixth series win of the season. K-State now sits in first in the Big 12 standings, while Houston moves to 4-5 in league action and 14-9 overall.
K-State’s nine-game winning streak matches the longest streak in the Hughes era, while marking the Cats’ 150th victory under Hughes.
“Our offense was unbelievable today and all weekend against a really talented and deep pitching staff,” Hughes said. Prior to the weekend, Houston ranked 11th in the nation and first in the Big 12 with a 3.45 team ERA.
Eight different Wildcats turned in a hit in the victory, including multi-hit days from Chuck Ingram, Brady Day, Jaden Parsons and Danniel Rivera. Day led the way for the offense, going 5-for-6 at the plate to become the first Wildcat since March 30, 2018, to generate a five-hit day.
“Brady Day keeps playing at a high level in big moments, especially with a five-hit day. Things usually go our way when the middle of our lineup is that productive.”
“We were fortunate to have another really great start from Owen. I thought he made some really big pitches for us today. It was great having Tyson back, and Jackson was reliable as ever.”
Left-handed starter Owen Boerema scattered just three hits in his five innings of work, allowing just two runs (one earned) with five strikeouts. Tyson Neighbors (1-0) picked up his first victory of the season and surrendered one hit with a pair of strikeouts. Jackson Wentworth closed the game and allowed one earned run in the final two innings.
THE RUNDOWN
Houston opened scoring in the second with a lasered solo shot to left by Cary Arbolida.
The Cats rallied with a pair of runs in the top of the third, as Ingram recorded a two-out single before scoring on a triple from Brendan Jones. Day followed by beating out the throw at first for the infield single to hand K-State the lead.
Tied 2-2 in the seventh, Day laced a 2-1 pitch into left to take back the lead until the Cats loaded the bases where Jaden Parsons’ singled to drive in the game-winning run.
K-State took control of the game with station-to-station baseball in the eighth, as the Wildcats sent 11 batters to the plate and scored five runs on six hits.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- K-State scored nine runs on a series-high 15 hits with three errors committed and stranded 14 on base.
- Houston scored three runs on six hits, committed an error, and left nine runners on base.
- Parsons drove in the game-winning run with an RBI single in the seventh.
- Only two of the Cats 15 hits were for extra bases.
- K-State scored five runs in the eighth to take control of the game.
- Neighbors (1-0) picked up his first victory of the season in relief, scattering just one hit in his two innings of work.
- Eight different Wildcats generated a hit in the victory, with four producing multiple (Ingram, Day, Parsons, Rivera).
- Seven players drove in a run led by two apiece from Day and Lodice.
- Day went 5-for-6 at the plate with two RBIs and scored two runs.
- Boerema struck out five and held the Cougars to just three hits in his five-inning start.
- Nine pitchers made an appearance on the mound for Houston.
- K-State went 7-for-18 (.389) with runners in scoring position while Houston was 1-for-9 (.111).
- The Wildcats hit .308 (4-for-13) with two outs with a pair of two-out RBIs.
NOTES
- K-State leads the all-time series 5-2 against Houston.
- The win extends K-State’s win streak to nine, matching the longest streak in the Hughes era (2023).
- The victory marked the Cats second consecutive sweep of the season.
- Day is the first player since March 30, 2018, to produce a five-hit game (Cameron Thomspon v. Texas)
- The win moves K-State to first in the Big 12 Conference standings with a 5-1 league record.
- The Wildcats are 6-4 on the road, and 4-3 in true road games.
- Jones stretched his on-base streak to a career-high 27 game followed by Pelletier with 25 games. Both streaks date back to last season.
- Day pushed his hitting streak to 16 games.
- With four victories in the week, K-State jumped 37 positions in the RPI and improved to 19.
- The victory marked Hughes’ 150th at K-State (150-122).
ON DECK
The Wildcats will return to Tointon Family Stadium Tuesday to take on rival Nebraska (17-5), with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Tuesday’s game 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.
