Kansas State baseball struggled to find timely offense in an 8-2 loss against No. 21 Texas Longhorns. K-State moved to 20-14, 6-6 in Big 12 play, and fell to fifth place in the conference standings.
“We just couldn’t get the big hit,” head coach Pete Hughes said. “Anytime you leave 13 runners on base and score two runs, you’re usually lacking that game-changing hit.”
K-State opened the scoring in the first after right fielder Cash Rugely hit a leadoff double and came around on a sac fly by shortstop Nick Goodwin. Texas responded in the bottom half by putting two on the board and taking a 2-1 lead they wouldn’t give up.
In the second, Texas tagged two more runs on a two-out double.
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Designated hitter Cole Johnson launched an opposite-field homer in the fourth to keep K-State in the game, 4-2. Texas responded quickly, adding a pair of runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to secure its series victory.
K-State finished 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
K-State starter Jackson Wentworth (1-3) received the loss and recorded four earned runs through two innings of work. Longhorn starter Charlie Hurley notched the victory and moved 3-0 on the year.
The Wildcats return home at 6 p.m. to Tointon Family Stadium on Monday night to face Creighton (14-11, 2-1 Big East).
