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K-State Baseball Continues To Look Strong Early With A 6-4 Win Over Boston College

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Baseball

A six-inning start from Ty Ruhl, three double plays, and an impressive collegiate debut from Blake Dean propelled K-State to a 6-4 victory over Boston College inside Sloan Park Saturday afternoon.

"Today was a great bounce back," head coach Pete Hughes said. "We're going to have to do that in the season with less than 24 hours to turn things around emotionally and get back in the winning column, so I'm proud of our guys and their resiliency."

Ruhl (1-0) carried a two-hitter into the seventh inning with four 1-2-3 innings, while striking out six. The redshirt junior allowed just two earned runs to pick up his 10th career win, finishing his outing with four hits and three walks over six innings of work.

No. 24 K-State (1-1) put up three runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by Jayden Lobliner's two-out two-run single to score the game-winning run.

"We played well. We set the tempo early and got great pitching from Ty Ruhl and Blake Dean in his debut in a high leverage situation. He picked up his teammate and dominated. It was awesome to see.," said Hughes.

Dean gave K-State phenomenal work in relief down the stretch of the final three innings, allowing no runs and no hits in his collegiate debut. The Acworth, Ga., product struck out six of the 10 batters face to pick up the save, including striking out the side in the final frame.

"We knew that when you play against Boston College the game's never going to be over. I coached that brand for eight years and they just don't go away."

Eight Wildcats recorded a hit in the afternoon matchup, led by Chuck Ingram as the Wichita State transfer went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

"It was a good test for our guys. We handled adversity and bounced back and kept the lead for a really good team win."

AJ Colarusso (0-1) was charged the loss as the starter surrendered two earned runs and three hits while striking out eight in his four innings.

THE RUNDOWN
K-State put its first runner on base in the second with a leadoff walk by Brady Day followed by Danniel Rivera's 13-pitch at bat that led to another walk, putting Day into scoring position. With two outs, the bottom of the order stepped up as Raphael Pelletier and David Bishop pieced together a pair of singles to drive in two runs.  

The Cats ended the four-inning scoreless drought in the seventh, with consecutive doubles by Brendan Jones and Chuck Ingram. K-State loaded the bases by a walk and the intentional walk of Kaelen Culpepper to bring Lobliner to the plate. The bases loaded situation forced Boston College to make its fourth pitching change with Gavin Hasche relieving Beck Milner.

Lobliner, a sophomore from St. Charles, Ill., continued his hitting streak after roping a line drive into left field to plate the game-winning run and increase the lead, 5-0.  

The Wildcats turned their third double play of the game in the sixth, preserving the five-run lead.  

Boston College (1-1) snapped the shutout with a grand slam from second baseman Vince Cimini, allowing the Eagles to bring the score within one.

Freshman right-hander Blake Dean entered to relieve Cole Wisenbaker and immediately shutdown the Eagles' offense, retiring six straight.  

In the final frame, K-State tacked on the final run to with the help of an RBI single by Culpepper while Dean struck out the side to secure the win.

INSIDE THE BOX

  • K-State scored six runs on nine hits with no errors committed while leaving seven on base.
  • Boston College score four runs on five hits without an error and stranded three.
  • K-State rolled three double-plays.
  • Ingram went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
  • Lobliner drove in a team-best two RBI with a two-out double.
  • Ruhl (1-0) went six innings in his six-inning start with six strikeouts, surrendering two earned runs on four hits.
  • Two of the Cats runs came with two outs.
  • Two Wildcats made their collegiate debut with Dean and English
  • Ruhl and Dean combined for 12 strikeouts.
  • K-State went 5-for-13 (.385) with runners on and 5-for-11 (.455) with runners in scoring position.
  • Culpepper was intentionally walked in the seventh.
  • Dean retired nine of 10 batters faced, allowing one walk.
  • Cal hit .667 (2-for-3) with players in scoring position and .231 (3-for-13) with baserunners.
  • K-State hit .429 (6-for-14) in two out situations while BC was hitless, going 0-for-7.
  • K-State utilized two relief pitchers in the final three innings.

NOTES

  • K-State picked up the first meeting against Boston College
  • Wildcats are 9-6 against teams from the ACC.
  • First ACC matchup since 2022 against Virginia Tech.
  • Culpepper stretched his on-bast streak to nine, dating back to last season.
  • Jones and Culpepper extended their hitting streaks out to five going back to last year.
  • In his third collegiate start, Ruhl picked up his 10th win. 

UP NEXT
K-State closes out its time at the 2024 MLB Desert Invitational Sunday against Georgetown (0-2) with game start scheduled for 1 p.m. CT. Fans can watch on MLB.com and listen on KMAN online and K-StateSports.com/watch.