FAYETTEVILLE -- Kansas State roared back from a two-run deficit for six runs off Arkansas ace Hagen Smith in the bottom of the fifth and went on to take a key 7-6 win over the top-seeded Hogs in Baum-Walker Stadium at the Fayetteville Regional.
Arkansas had taken a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth Ty Wilmsmeyer, who had walked, scored on an error. Peyton Stovall also reached base on a walk. Went to second on a wild pitch and then third on an error. Hudson White delivered an RBI-single to center field. White has been on a hitting streak of late, but noted the Hogs had 13 runners left on base to two for Kansas State.
"Yeah, it’s definitely frustrating," White said. "You always feel like you’re one hit away from breaking something open, or tying the game in this case, but you know, I’m just excited for tomorrow."
At that point, Hagen Smith took the mound in the bottom of the fifth having allowed no runs and just one hit. However, he walked the first two Wildcats. That is when standout second baseman Kaelen Culpepper unloaded a three-run blast over the fence for a 3-2 lead. Two more walks, a sacrifice bunt and single Chuck Ingram put Kansas State up 5-2. Dave Van Horn knew the fifth was the difference in the game.
"Just a really good job by K-State putting together a big inning there in the fifth, and that ended up being the difference obviously," Van Horn said. "I really liked the way we fought back and almost caught them. Obviously, that was a big swing there for them in the eighth with two outs, hit that home run to get them back to three. We had a couple chances in the seventh and the eighth to punch in a couple more, but we didn’t put the bat on the ball, or we didn’t get the ball out of the infield.
"But other than that, man, I thought we played really good. We didn’t make an error. If you look at the line score, it looks like we should be scoring more runs than they did. Thirteen hits, six runs, no errors, that’s usually going to be enough to get you a W, especially when Hagen’s on the mound. Again, hats off to K-State for putting together a really good inning against him."
In the top of the seventh Jared Sprague-Lott, Arkansas' third baseman, hit a solo shot over the fence to pull Arkansas within 6-4. A double by Jack Wagner to lead off the eighth led to another run when White doubled him home with a one-out hit to pull within 6-5.
Ben Bybee pitched in relief of Smith and was outstanding. He allowed just one hit and run in three innings, but it was a solo blast by Nick England in the bottom of the eighth that proved to be the difference.
The Hogs did answer in the ninth, trailing 7-4, when Wehiwa Aloy led off with a single. With one out, Peyton Holt sent a shot into the Kansas State bullpen for two more runs. By Tyson Neighbors closed the door on the Hogs at that point for his ninth save. Holt was hoping his blast provided a late spark to the Hogs.
"I mean, yeah, you always have that confidence that your offense is good enough to tie the game or take the lead," Holt said. "So, yeah, we had full confidence that we could get those runs. You know, you can’t get them every time, so just regroup and get after it tomorrow."
Jackson Wentworth (5-5) picked up the win. He went 5.2 innings, allowing seven hits, two runs, three walks and striking out a trio. Neighbors worked 3.l innings, allowed six hits, four runs, one walk and fanned five while hitting one batter.
Smith (9-2) lost his second game in a row. He lasted five innings, allowed four hits, six runs, four walks and struck out seven on 92 pitches which only 55 were strikes. Bybee worked three innings and struck out four with no walks.
Arkansas will now face SEMO in an elimination game at 1 p.m. Sunday. The winner will then take on Kansas State Sunday night. If the winner of the early game downs Kansas State a championship game will be played Monday.
Photos Courtesy of Craven Whitlow CW3 Sports Action
