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Frustrating loss to BYU in finale takes luster off Kansas State baseball’s series win

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Frustrating loss to BYU in finale takes luster off Kansas State baseball’s series win


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MANHATTAN — An extra-inning loss to Brigham Young on Saturday didn’t affect Kansas State baseball’s position in the Big 12 standings, but it certainly put a damper on what had shaped up as a pleasant finish to the regular season.

The Wildcats were one strike away from a three-game sweep and a full head of steam heading into this week’s Big 12 Championship when the wheels came off in spectacular fashion. Instead of celebrating on senior night, they saw BYU score seven runs in the ninth and 10th innings for a 12-8 victory at Tointon Family Stadium.

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“It’s a frustrating loss,” K-State coach Pete Hughes said. “You have a chance to sweep someone and you’re one strike away and you’re up two runs, it’s about as heartbreaking as you can have.

“My mind is really stuck on that, to be honest with you. I didn’t look at any positives we had during the game, and we did a lot of really good things, but when you’re that close to winning with a two-run lead at home and then a couple of crazy plays.”

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With the loss, the Wildcats finished the regular season at 31-22 overall and 15-15 in the Big 12, while BYU improved to 21-31 and 7-23 while ending a 13-game conference losing streak. As the No. 6 seed, K-State will face No. 7 Kansas at 9 a.m. Tuesday to open the Big 12 Tournament in Arlington, Texas.

K-State took a 7-5 advantage to the ninth inning, only to surrender the lead on a bases-loaded error and a wild pitch. Then, after Brady Day tied it with a towering leadoff homer in the bottom of inning, BYU effectively ended it on Parker Goff’s grand slam to left.

The ending overshadowed a gritty comeback performance by K-State, which took its first lead on Kaelen Culpepper’s two-run, opposite-field home run to right, then made it 7-5 when Kyan Lodice followed with a solo shot to right. Culpepper also had a two-run triple in the third.

“I’m proud of our guys for battling back and tying it in the bottom of the ninth off a closer who had been dominating this year. It kind of sets up for a great comeback and it just didn’t happen.

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“I feel bad for our seniors, but a really frustrating loss because it was so close, but that’s the life of major college athletics right there.”

The Wildcats, who wrapped up the regular season at 31-22 overall, 15-15 in the Big 12, had 11 hits in the game, including three home runs. But BYU (21-31, 7-23), which ended a 13-game conference losing streak, answered with 14 hits and drew eight walks.

Still, K-State did take two games to win the series, picking up a pair of one-run victories on Thursday and Friday. They took the opener, 7-6, on Lodice’s walk-off single in the 12th inning, while Jackson Wentworth and Tyson Neighbors combined on a five-hitter in a 2-1 Friday win.

Wentworth’s performance was especially critical after K-State used four pitchers in the series opener, as he responded with career highs of eight innings and 11 strikeouts. With the Wildcats clinging to a one-run lead, he gave up a leadoff triple in the sixth inning, then struck out the next three batters, and with runners at second and third he got another strikeout to end the threat.

“I just tried pushing through to get the team a win,” Wentworth said of whiffing BYU’s Easton Jones to end the eighth. “All I could do to just get that last out for Tyson to come in and close it.”

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Neighbors also came up big, getting the Cougars in order with two strikeouts for his eighth save just a day after throwing 50 pitches over eight innings in the opener.

“I thought we played good this weekend,” Hughes said in recapping the series. “We won a series. “It’s all about winning series. We’ll feel terrible about this one for a while, but it’s a 24-hour rule. We’ve got to get back at it and get hot in the Big 12 Tournament and try to win the tournament.”

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.



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[WatchLive]TV!!!] Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 Streams ON Tv Channel

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[WatchLive]TV!!!] Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 Streams ON Tv Channel


Portland Thorns FC-Kansas City Current

Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current live: Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current look to seize control of thrilling Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current. Every team in the Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current has two wins apiece as we go into the final two game weeks. Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current will host Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current at Durban’s Kings Park Stadium with the Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current a single point ahead of Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current in the standings and just one behind leaders Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current.



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Predicting Which Kansas Basketball Players Will Stay or Transfer

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Predicting Which Kansas Basketball Players Will Stay or Transfer


With the offseason quickly ramping up, several Kansas basketball players will have a pivotal decision to make in the coming weeks. Those with remaining collegiate eligibility will have to determine whether they are returning to Lawrence or exploring other opportunities on the open market.

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The Jayhawks are no strangers to losing talent to the transfer portal, as five players departed to other schools last year (six if you include Flory Bidunga’s brief stint in the portal).

Although KU has the ability to retool its roster with transfers across the country, there are some guys whom the program would certainly like to retain. But which players will end up leaving the university for more favorable options, and how many will there be?

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Flory Bidunga: Declare for NBA Draft

Bidunga took the biggest leap of any player on the roster this offseason, seeing his scoring average nearly triple in addition to winning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He is one of the most dominant rim protectors in the country and proved that by averaging 2.6 blocks per game.

After spending two years in Lawrence, Bidunga now has another critical decision to make after he nearly left last offseason. There have even been rumors of him transferring to another school, even with the NBA Draft on the radar.

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Mar 12, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) drives to the basket around TCU Horned Frogs forward David Punch (15) during the first half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images

Most mock drafts place him in the early-to-mid second round range, leaving some potential for his stock to rise if he returned to college. However, as an undersized center who likely won’t develop a perimeter game anytime soon, it’s difficult to see where he could improve his draft position.

Going to the NBA feels like the smartest and most logical decision for Bidunga. He would complete his lifelong dream of playing in the pros and could develop at his own pace with a team willing to invest in him.

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Bryson Tiller: Stay at Kansas

A redshirt freshman who joined the team late last season, Tiller defied the odds and earned a spot in the starting rotation despite recovering from foot surgery. He was one of Bill Self’s most trusted options and formed a double-big pairing with Bidunga.

His final month or so of the season was quite abysmal, as he saw his averages plummet and his production take a massive hit. However, it is far too early to give up on the Overtime Elite product just yet.

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Tiller has a smooth post game and a lot of good attributes to his skill set. Bringing him back should be one of the biggest priorities for the coaching staff this offseason, and if he’s promised a starting spot at power forward next year, it is reasonable to assume he returns.

Elmarko Jackson: Transfer from Kansas

Jackson has endured a rough ride in Lawrence since committing to the Jayhawks as a McDonald’s All-American three years ago. Following an underwhelming freshman season, he missed the entire 2024-25 campaign due to a torn patellar tendon before returning this season, where he didn’t fare much better than two years ago.

Coming out of high school, Jackson was viewed as a player with immense potential. But after three years at the school with virtually no improvement, it might be best for him to spend his final two years of eligibility elsewhere.

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Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson (13) controls the ball against St. John’s Red Storm guard Oziyah Sellers (4) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

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Unfortunately, allowing the game-winning basket to St. John’s that ultimately ended the season embodied what his tenure at KU has been like. That might be the last memory fans have of Jackson in the crimson and blue.

Kohl Rosario: Transfer from Kansas

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Rosario had high expectations going into the year, starting as a member of the starting five before eventually being phased out of the rotation. The Miami native was touted as a strong 3-point shooter coming into college, but massively struggled from beyond the arc for most of the year, leading to a difficult path to playing time.

Even when Rosario wasn’t hitting his shots, though, he contributed with his athleticism and on the glass as a hustle player. Rosario is absolutely someone the coaching staff should prioritize this offseason. However, it may be best for him to leave the program to look for other opportunities.

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Mar 3, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Kohl Rosario (7) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

He showed flashes throughout the year yet was never trusted heavily by Coach Self. He proved he belonged in the rotation in the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments, where he made an immediate impact when he entered and outplayed other bench options.

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Ultimately, Rosario will already be competing with freshman wings Trent Perry and Luke Barnett for playing time next year. If the coaches are not going to give him minutes, there is little reason to believe he will stay another year at KU as such a high-potential player.

Paul Mbiya: Stay at Kansas

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After riding the pine for the majority of the regular season, Mbiya showed real promise in the NCAA Tournament, scoring a season-high eight points in the Round of 64 and playing strong minutes in place of Bidunga against St. John’s in the first half as he battled foul trouble.

With his otherworldly wingspan and frame, Mbiya feels like someone who could blossom into a star long-term. Even with his raw offensive game, he has traits that should allow him to improve once he refines his skill set.

Mbiya could technically transfer this offseason without it being a massive surprise, but that stretch at the end of the year may have been enough to earn Coach Self’s trust. At the very least, he could be playing double-digit minutes per game next year as the backup five.

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Jamari McDowell: Stay at Kansas

McDowell committed to Kansas as a member of the Class of 2023, making him and Jackson the longest-tenured players on the roster. He has been a steady bench piece who plays sparingly but offers defensive intensity and outside shooting when he enters the game.

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Unlike Jackson, McDowell didn’t have the same level of hype coming out of high school and was never viewed as much more than a role player. He is best suited to play short spurts off the bench to provide an offensive spark when needed.

Given his clear love for Kansas, his situation is far different from Jackson’s. McDowell feels like someone who is content with limited minutes and simply wearing a Jayhawk uniform with pride.



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Kansas State Baseball 2026 at Utah

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Kansas State Baseball 2026 at Utah


After a rough homestand that saw the Cats go 1-3, your Kansas State Wildcats are back on the road for a Big 12 series against Utah — K-State’s first trip out to Salt Lake City for a baseball game.

The Cats sit at 17-8 on the season and 3-3 in Big 12 play, and after starting the season strong have really struggled since the Sunday game against Houston two weekends ago. Either the bats go wild and they win in a rule-ruled game, or they lose. Not exactly a recipe for confidence moving into the heart of the season.

And a lot of that struggle is on the bullpen and the K-State defense, with the former struggling to throw strikes and avoid giving up easy homeruns, and the latter struggling with staying focused and committing unforced errors at the worst times. But if ever there was a good weekend in conference play to get back on track, it would be this one for K-State. Utah enters today 13-9 and 3-3 in Big 12 play, but currently rank dead last in hitting in conference play despite putting up runs and picking up wins. If K-State can avoid errors and letting bad plays snowball, they will have a good opportunity to sweep this series.

But the Cats have to be more consistent than they’ve shown the past couple weeks.

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All games here in Salt Lake City are at the America First Ballpark, a park that opened last spring and is also the home of Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, and will be available on online via KMAN and at KStateSports.com/watch with Matt Walters calling the action there. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+, with a Bill Riley on the broadcast.

James Guyette takes the mound Friday night at 7:000pm CT for his seventh start of the season. The junior righty went into the sixth inning last Friday against Arizona State before getting lifted after recording just one out. He gave up three runs on five hits, one of those over the fence, and five free bases while tossing five strikeouts. Through six games he’s got an ERA of 5.51, the highest of K-State’s weekend starters.

The Cat batters will face junior right-hander Colter McAnelly to open the game. McAnelly finished 2025 as an All-Big 12 First Team selection, and the Wyoming native earned Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honors three times as a sophomore. He’s not been quite as productive so far in 2026, sitting at just 2-3 in six starts this season with an ERA of 3.94. But that number is way up after last week, when he gave up six runs on six hits in five innings in what ended up as a 4-13 loss to Cincinnati.

Saturday’s game is set for a 3:00pm CT first-pitch. Lincoln Sheffield moves up a day as Pete Hughes looks to shake things up in his maligned bullpen, also making his seventh start of the season. Last Sunday, the senior lefty pitched a run-ruled complete game, giving up just one run on five hits and two free bases, but tossing six strikeouts enroute to a 12-1 K-State victory, and Sheff’s fifth of the season. He leads K-State starters with a 3.97 ERA that dropped back under 4.00 after his 1.29 effort last Sunday.

Utah will send to the mound Payton Riske to face the Cat batters. The right-handed junior is also making his seventh start of the season, all as the Saturday starter — a role the Las Vegas-native earned last season and has yet to relinquish. Last week he went just three innings against Cincinnati, giving up five runs on six hits — but no walks — in what became a 10-20 loss to the Bearcats.

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Sunday’s start time is set for 2:00pm CT, and Tanner Duke will take the bump for the Cats in the swap with Sheffield. Duke was solid in his first two Saturday starts, before struggling against Arizona State last Saturday. The junior righty lasted just three innings, giving up seven runs (five earned) on six hits, including two over the fence, before leaving the game with the Sun Devils up 5-7. But ultimately it didn’t matter as the bullpen was just as giving, with the Cats eventually falling 12-18. After falling to 3.43, Duke’s ERA ballooned back up to 4.88 for the season.

Utah has not named a starter for Sunday’s game, but sophomore Cameron Nielson made the start last Sunday for the Utes in their 13-11 finale win over the Bearcats. Last week, the right-hander was solid through the first two innings before getting lifted after snagging just one out in the third. His final line was two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks (one of those was intentional), tossing just one strikeout. He’s got a season ERA of 3.86, but has only pitched more than three innings one time in his seven appearances so far this season.



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