MANHATTAN, Kan. – Despite taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning, the K-State baseball team saw its advantage drain away until a two-out RBI double by West Virginia’s Kyle Davis, the 12th hit of the game by the Mountaineers,

helped deal the Wildcats a 3-2 loss in the series finale on Saturday at Tointon Family Stadium.

 

Max Brown’s two-run triple in the bottom of the first inning proved to be the only run-producing hit by the Wildcats (13-16, 2-7 Big 12) among their four total safeties in the game. West Virginia starting pitcher Chad Donato, after stranding two Wildcats in scoring position in the second, settled in and went on to retire 15 straight between the second and seventh innings.

 

Brandon Erickson was saddled with the loss for K-State after he allowed the game-winning run in the ninth. Justin Fox began the West Virginia rally by hitting a one-out double into the left field corner, preceding his movement to third on a groundout. After an intentional walk to Brad Johnson put runners on the corners with two outs, Davis hit a ball into left field that got past a diving Krause to allow Fox to score. Johnson was thrown out at home to end the inning, though, on a relay turned by Brown and shortstop Tyler Wolfe.

 

 

K-State will remain at home for the first of its two midweek games this week. The Wildcats face No. 18 Nebraska on Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m.

 

NOTES

K-State has lost its first three Big 12 series this season and seven straight conference series dating back to being swept by West Virginia from April 25-27, 2014.

Chris Kutz, Assistant Director, Athletics Communications