Kansas State baseball saw its season end in the second game of the NCAA Super Regionals when the Bat Cats fell to Virginia 10-4.
The Wildcats showed promise to start the game, producing enough offense to go toe-to-toe with Virginia’s powerful offense. For most of the first innings, K-State remained tied with Virginia. However, the walls gave way in the ninth inning as the Cavaliers put up five runs to increase their six-run lead.
Jackson Wentworth saw the start for the Wildcats and lost six innings. Wentworth allowed four earned runs on eight hits and struck out five batters.
The loss leaves K-State’s unlikely NCAA Tournament run to end on the doorstep of a trip to Omaha and the College World Series.
Here are three takeaways from K-State’s season-ending loss to Virginia.
CATS FIGHT TO GET OUT OF ININGS
To his credit, Wentworth did well to shut down Virginia’s powerful offense. For most of his six frames, he struck out the first two batters and came close to ending the inning. However, both pitching (and defense) left a lot to be desired.
Virginia opened the scoring with two runs in the first inning, both with two outs. This included a two-out home run from Casey Saucke to open the scoring. Virginia’s entire ninth-inning rally also came with two outs.
Taking away Virginia’s high-octane offense in the inning is a challenge for any team, but it becomes an even bigger challenge when a team struggles to produce the third out and end the inning.
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K-STATE BULLPEN FIGHTS
K-State’s bullpen was lights out for most of the Fayetteville Regional, especially in the two games against Arkansas. However, the same bullpen saw some regression against Virginia.
After a difficult ride through Blake Dean It is Cole Wisenbaker last night, Peter Hughes turned to Tyson’s Neighbors It is Josh Wintroub, hoping to keep the Wildcats in it. And while the Neighbors allowed just one run in two innings of relief, Wintroub allowed a grueling five to end the game.
It’s hard to blame Hughes for the bullpen’s decisions. There could be an argument that Neighbors should have seen the mound in the opener, but saving it for a high-leverage situation in a potential elimination game is hardly the wrong decision.
However, the Wildcats needed better performances from their bullpen. It wasn’t the only reason for either loss — several factors played into both losses — but the Wildcats could have used a reliable bullpen in both games.
A PROMISING SEASON FINAL
There’s no argument that the Wildcats struggled for most of the regular season. There were some shining moments throughout the year, but K-State was still a bubble team heading into the selection show on Memorial Day.
By all accounts, K-State stumbled in the NCAA Tournament, and most didn’t see them coming out of the Fayetteville Regional. But K-State caught fire and found ways to manufacture production against a tough Arkansas team.
Losing to Virginia is tough, but there was a lot to be proud of during the postseason campaign. While getting to Omaha is the ultimate goal, the Wildcats showed the foundation of a program that, with the right offseason acquisitions, can build on the NCAA Tournament experience.
