MANHATTAN, Kan. – Fueled by Jacob Frost’s seven innings and a go-ahead three-run homer from Keegan O’Connor, K-State opened the series with a 5-2 win over Houston on Friday at Tointon Family Stadium.
“Friday night wins are like gold, and I thought we set the tone and set the energy level from the get-go, which is crucial in a series, especially at home,” said head coach Pete Hughes, who has led the Cats to the second-best home start in program history (15-1).
In the first meeting between the Cats and Cougars in Manhattan, K-State (25-17, 11-8 Big 12) scored all five runs over a three-inning span led by O’Connor’s 11th homer of the year in the second.
The graduate from Andover, Mass., hit in the eighth spot of the lineup and ended the night as the only player to produce multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with a season-high four RBIs.
Frost was awarded his first victory of the season, as he turned in his second consecutive quality outing after holding the Cougars to two runs (1-2). In his 10th start of the year, the left-hander capped his career-long outing with eight punch outs and no walks, while scattering four hits.
“[Frost] wasn’t as sharp as he usually is, but like veteran guys do, he made his adjustments and got settled in. [O’Connor] had a big night for us, and we needed that down at the bottom of the order. He was very productive, and four RBIs is what we want out of a veteran player,” Hughes added.
Ty Ruhl and James Guyette left Houston (22-19, 6-12 Big 12) hitless in the final two frames in relief of Frost, with Guyette earning his third save of the year.
UH starter Paul Schmitz (3-4) suffered the loss, giving up all five runs on six hits with four strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings of work.
K-State has homered in 31 of 42 games, totaling 71 on the year with 22 coming in the month of April. The Wildcats’ 71 homers rank fifth all-time in program history and are second in the Big 12.
In seven seasons under Hughes, K-State’s offense has turned in five of the top six seasons in terms of total home runs in program history, including a single-season record 89 in 2021.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Schmitz issued a pair of walks with one out before O’Connor belted the first pitch he faced 368-feet out to the bullpen in left field, handing the Cats a 3-0 lead.
The Cougars utilized a pair of hits in the third to pull the score within two until the Cats tacked on a run in the fourth and fifth, highlighted by doubles from David Bishop and O’Connor.
A balk from Frost led to the Cougars’ second run, making it a three-run ball game.
Leading 5-2, Guyette relieved Ruhl in the ninth and inherited runners on first and second with one out. The right-hander forced a grounder that allowed the defense to turn the double play up the middle to secure the win.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State scored five runs on six hits, committed one error and stranded five runners on base.
- Houston scored two runs on four hits with no errors and leaving seven on base.
- Frost earned his first win, surrendering two earned runs on four hits over seven innings of work (1-2).
- Ruhl and Guyette fired two hitless and scoreless innings, with Guyette picking his third save.
- Schmitz (3-4) suffered the loss, allowing five runs in his 3 1/3-inning start.
- O’Connor led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a season-high four RBI.
- Martin, Dardar, Flores and Bishop also each registered a hit.
- O’Connor hit a three-run homer in the second to score the winning run.
- Inoue walked twice.
- K-State hit .429 with runners in scoring position and .111 with two outs, while UH hit .143 with men in scoring position and went 0-for-9 with two outs.
TEAM NOTES
- K-State leads the all-time series, 6-2, that includes a four-game winning streak.
- Friday’s contest marked the first meeting in Manhattan between the two squads on the diamond.
- K-State has homered in 31 of 42 games, totaling 71 with 22 in the month of April.
- The 2025 team’s 71 home runs ranks fifth all-time in school history.
- O’Connor belted his 11th homer of the season.
UP NEXT
The middle game between the Cats and Cougars is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday at Tointon Family Stadium, featuring a matchup between left-hander Michael Quevedo (4-1) and righty Alex Solis (1-0).
K-State baseball single-game tickets at Tointon Family Stadium are available, and can be purchased by visiting KStateSports.com, call 1-800-221-CATS (2287), or stopping by the K-State Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.
