Late grand slam sends K-State streaking past WSU for Shockers’ fifth straight loss

A grand slam in the seventh inning broke a tie score and Kansas State beat the Wichita State baseball team 7-2 on Wednesday evening at Tointon Family Stadium in Manhattan.

It was the fifth straight loss for the Shockers (20-24) and their 12th loss in the last 14 games, while K-State improved to 22-24. The in-state rivals split the season series as WSU won the first meeting, 8-5, on March 27 at Eck Stadium.

Alex Segal took the loss for WSU in relief, as the Shockers couldn’t protect a 2-0 lead they established in the first four innings. WSU’s offense only generated six hits, all singles, as Paxton Wallace and Noah Croft delivered back-to-back RBI singles in the fourth.

The loss spoiled one of the better outings of the season from starter Preston Snavely, who logged 4 2/3 innings and allowed just one earned run. The senior gave up two hits with three walks and a wild pitch to go along with four strikeouts.

After Snavely exited with WSU leading 2-1 in the fifth, coach Todd Butler had to use five bullpen arms to record the final 10 outs.

The only source of offense for the Shockers came in the fourth inning. The rally started with a one-out single by Luke Ritter followed by a walk by Hunter Gibson. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, then Wallace and Croft hit back-to-back RBI singles for a 2-0 lead.

WSU stranded eight base runners and struck out 10 times.

K-State tied the score in the sixth inning, then broke the tie in the seventh inning against Segal. K-State led off the inning with two straight singles, then a bunt turned into a base hit to load the bases. That’s when KSU’s Will Brennan blasted a grand slam over the right-field wall for a 6-2 lead.

The Shockers briefly rallied in the ninth inning when Wallace was hit by a pitch and Ross Cadena singled to center field with one out. But both of WSU’s pinch hitters, Alex Jackson and Brady Slavens, recorded outs.

WSU will take Thursday to travel to Storrs, Connecticut for a three-game weekend series in the American Athletic Conference, as the Shockers (20-24, 5-10 AAC) play UConn (27-18, 7-8 AAC) starting 6 p.m. Friday.

Kansas State 7, Wichita State 2

WP: Passino (2-4). LP: Segal (0-1). E: KSU, Littlejim. LOB: WSU 8, KSU 6. 2B: KSU, Ceballos, Littlejim. HR: KSU, Brennan. SB: WSU, VanVooren; KSU, Brennan. CS: WSU, Katzfey; KSU, Kokoska, Spurlin. HBP: WSU, Wallace (by Zubradt). Umpires: Mark Hutchison, home; Josh Nolen, first; Mike Lentz, second; Mark Wagers, third. T: 3:11. A: 1,316.

This story was originally published May 1, 2019 at 11:07 PM.