K-State was well within reach. Down just one run to the Cowboys in the eighth inning with perhaps their most dependable pitcher on the mound in sophomore closer James Allen, the game was still in their hands.
Allen had been called in to replace pitcher Matt Applegate after giving up a single to Dean Green to begin the inning. As a proven sophomore, he was expected to get the Wildcats out of the inning and back to the plate and overcome a one run deficit.
It was a in his job description, and Allen had done it before.
But that wasn't the case Friday night—at least not in the eighth inning.
Instead Allen hit two batters and gave up two hits, including a two run double to Nico Rosthenhausler.
Suddenly the Wildcats were down 11-7.
It was uncharacteristic performance by not just Allen, but the entire pitching staff Friday night. The Wildcats walked a season-high seven Cowboy batters Friday night and gave up 12 hits in the contest.
"I've never seen him hit a guy like that," head coach Brad Hill said.
But the Wildcats didn't panic. They used a seven run outburst in the bottom of the eighth inning to survive the first game of the weekend series. Junior first baseman Kent Urban highlighted the comeback with a bases-loaded three run double to center field, breaking an 11-11 tie and giving K-State a 14-11 lead.
Watching the action, Allen knew he had one more inning of work.
"I was relieved to get a second shot," he said.
And he took advantage of it. The six-foot right-hander worked quickly in the ninth inning, facing just three batters shutting the door on the Cowboys, and securing the 14-11 win for the Wildcats in the opening game of the series.
"[Evan] going back out there after giving up what he did, I thought was real big for him," Hill said.
Sophomore right-hander Evan Marshall started the game for the Wildcats, after Ryan Daniel was kept from pitching due to a Migraine headache. Marshall threw five innings, giving up six earned runs and walking a season high five batters.
"We walked a lot of people," Hill said after the game. "We haven't done that, I thought we tried to pitch too careful tonight and it really cost us. Once you start pitching carefully, you have to throw a strike and they (Oklahoma State) are sitting on it. "
But as they did all night the Wildcats used their offense to overcome their pitching mishaps. K-State scored four runs on four hits in the fourth inning breaking a 2-2 tie and take a four run lead.
But Oklahoma State would respond right back in the fifth and sixth innings. A sacrifice fly to right field by second baseman Davis Duren brought the Cowboys within three runs. The Cowboys then took the lead in the sixth when they scored four runs on three hits and a dropped fly ball in left field by Nick Martini.
The Wildcats began their comeback in sixth inning when they scored on a walk by Cowboy pitcher Brad Propst and completed it in their outburst in the eighth.
Despite the pitching performance, Hill said he was pleased with the ability for his team to respond late in the game.
"Our guys were just tremendously focused there," Hill said. "There was no selfishness there whatsoever. Nobody tired to get big and be there hero there. We tried to hit the ball flat and put pressure on them, we just swung the bats together there."
Due to inclement weather in Manhattan, the Saturday's game two of the series was postponed. A doubleheader has been scheduled for Sunday with first pitch set for noon. Both games will be broadcast on 1350 KMAN.
Photo - K-State Sports Information
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