BatCats drop game against Texas

Basketball

Good news! Kansas did not make the NCAA Championship Game. Indeed, the Jayhawks were absolutely trucked by Villanova. Bad news. Michigan did, and the Wolverines made it there without big stars and with a “chopping wood” aphorism that sounds achingly familiar. Ugh.

Anyway, since we’re Wildcats always and forever, it should be easy to root for our eponymous brethren from Philadelphia. Go (Nova) Cats!

Baseball

The BatCats may have gotten a bit too excited by their first series win over Texas in forever. Despite leading by three, Kansas State allowed Texas to score an avalanche of runs in the fifth and ultimately a 9-5 win for the Longhorns.

Although Drew Mount did Drew Mount things with a game-tying solo homer in the second inning, it was not a great pitching day for the BatCats. Kansas State used four different pitchers in the fifth inning and gave up five walks, and three hits. Through the first four innings, starter Justin Heskett had allowed only two runs on four hits, but in the fifth, Texas managed a two-run one-out double and Heskett gave up two walks before being replaced by Jared Marolf. Pitching in relief, Marolf gave up three walks and an RBI single and was pulled for Hunter Treu with the bases loaded. Texas would go on to score seven runs in the fifth. For the BatCats, Quinton Potter would finish out the game, tossing four scoreless innings while striking out three batters.

Up next, Kansas State plays Creighton on Wednesday night in Omaha. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM, and you can catch the game on the radio on KMAN and streaming on kstatesports.com

Golf

The women’s golf team will take part in the annual Bruzzy Challenge in Carrolton, Texas. The event begins tomorrow with an 8:30 AM shotgun start and 36 holes on Monday with the final 18 holes played on Tuesday.

The Wildcats are led by senior Connie Jaffrey who has three top-10 finishes already this season and is ranked #47 in the country. The Scotland native also has the team’s best stroke average of 71.58.

Track and Field

The track team split up to participate in the San Francisco Distance Carnival and, much closer to home, the Emporia State Relays. Kansas State was solid at both events, although the school’s biggest stars were not in action.

Out west, seniors Jeff Bachman, Bryan Zack, Colton Donahue, and Brett Bachmann in the men’s 10,000m race. In a field of 108 runners, Jeff Bachmann led the Wildcats with a 38th place finish.

Back in Kansas, Ashley Petr took home first place in both hammer throw and discus, and Ethan Powell won the men’s 5000m.

Up next, Kansas State athletes will compete in the Jim Click Shootout April 5th through 7th in Tucson. The multi events (heptathlon and decathlon) will run on April 5 and 6th, with the remaining events scheduled for the 7th. Other teams competing include host Arizona, Arizona State, Illinois, and Ohio State.

Happy Easter/Passover. Stay warm.