K-State snags 1-run win over Kansas baseball in Sunflower Showdown series opener on Friday

By Jack McGarr, Special to the Journal-World Apr 14, 2023

Kansas junior pitcher Thaniel Trumper is on the mound against Kansas State. Kansas fell 5-4 on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Kansas State used a go-ahead single in the top of the eighth inning to take Game 1 of a three-game series at Kansas, 5-4 at Hoglund Ballpark.

Game 1 started at 3 p.m. on Friday, earlier than its previously expected 6 p.m. start time, because of forecasted severe weather conditions late in the day.

Junior outfielder Janson Reeder got the action started for the Jayhawks in the bottom of the first inning with an opposite field double into left field, scoring freshman infielder Kodey Shojinaga. With men on third and second with just one out, redshirt-sophomore catcher Jake English grounded out on a fielder’s choice, allowing Kansas to score another run in the inning to make the score 2-0.

Graduate right-hander Collin Baumgartner took the mound for the Jayhawks and was dealing early. Baumgartner threw a quick 1-2-3 first inning with two strikeouts before getting into some trouble in the second.

Baumgartner gave up a single and a walk to begin the second inning, putting two men on with nobody out. After a strikeout, sophomore outfielder Chase Jans made an incredible diving grab in left-field foul territory.

Jans quickly got up and threw to third base, where redshirt-sophomore infielder Michael Brooks tagged the runner out at third, ending the inning on a wild double-play.

Kansas State threatened again shortly after, as sophomore outfielder Brendan Jones launched a ball deep into right-center field for a standing triple, tacking on a run for the Wildcats in the top of the third inning. With no outs, senior outfielder Cash Rugely knocked a single to left field, tying the game at 2-2.

The scoring didn’t stop there for K-State, as junior infielder Nick Goodwin knocked a two-run shot to center field three batters later, putting the Wildcats on top 4-2. Baumgartner struggled in the third inning, giving up two walks and four hits in the inning, along with four runs.

He exited the game after pitching four innings, giving up six hits, three walks and four earned runs on the day on 91 pitches.

The Jayhawks rallied back in the fifth inning, getting runners on third and second with just one out. Senior first baseman Cole Elvis lined a ball into center field and Kansas scored both runners to tie the game up at 4-4.

Junior right-hander Thaniel Trumper provided a near perfect relief appearance for the Jayhawks after replacing Baumgartner on the mound. Trumper started the fifth inning and threw 3.1 innings, allowing no hits and just one walk and one HBP on 45 pitches.

Junior left-hander Stone Hewlett relieved Trumper with one out in the top of the eighth inning with a man on first and immediately gave up two singles. Kansas State tacked on the go-ahead run after senior infielder Roberto Pena layed down a perfect bunt to the pitcher. Sophomore infielder Kaelen Culpepper crossed home plate after getting hit by a pitch from Trumper, and the Wildcats led 5-4.

Pena’s single would prove to be the game-winning RBI for the Wildcats as Kansas State pitched two shutout innings in the eighth and ninth frames. Redshirt-sophomore right-hander Ty Ruhl earned the victory and Trumper took the loss, dropping his record to 2-3 on the year.

Shojinaga extended his hit streak to 11 games with a single in the third inning. Shojinaga also added a double in the fifth inning, batting 2-for-5 and pushing his batting average to .376 on the season.

Kansas drops to 17-16 (5-5 Big 12 Conference play), while the Wildcats improve to 22-14 (7-6), with Game 2 of the series scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. in Lawrence.

Kansas senior Cole Elvis plays first base against Kansas State. Kansas fell 5-4 on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Kansas junior Thaniel Trumper (15) is jubilant against Kansas State. Kansas fell 5-4 on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Kansas sophomore Chase Jans celebrates a base hit against Kansas State. Kansas fell 5-4 on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Kansas sophomore Chase Jans celebrates scoring against Kansas State. Kansas fell 5-4 on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Kansas senior Cole Elvis is jubilant after a 2 RBI base hit against Kansas State. Kansas fell 5-4 on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Kansas senior Cole Elvis is jubilant after a two-RBI base hit against Kansas State. Kansas fell 5-4 on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Kansas freshman Kodey Shojinaga (18) is celebrated after scoring against Kansas State. Kansas fell 5-4 on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Kansas coach Dan Fitzgerald protests a call to the umpire during an April game against Kansas State. Kansas fell 5-4 on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Kansas junior pitcher Thaniel Trumper (15) fists bumps redshirt sophomore catcher Jake English (21) against Kansas State. Kansas fell 5-4 on Friday, April 14, 2023.