Arizona State powers to win in 8th inning, takes series opener against K-State

MANHATTAN ( KSNT ) – The Bat ‘Cats wouldn’t be able to come through in the end. The Wildcats (16-6, 2-2 Big 12) would drop game one of its series with Arizona State 5-4, after the Sun Devils took the lead in the top of the eighth inning. After two scoreless innings to start the game, the Wildcats would get on the board first with a solo home run from Cadyn Karl.

Through the next two innings, the Sun Devils would put up three runs to jump to a 3-1 lead in the fifth. #KStateMBB HC Casey Alexander throwing out today’s first pitch ⚾️ It was a pretty big strike zone… @KSNTNews pic. twitter.

com/tQZzq86Itw — Sydney Clark (@SydneyClark___) March 20, 2026 In the bottom of the sixth, Dee Kennedy would send one over the left field wall for a two-run homer to make it a tied ballgame at three apiece at the end of the sixth. The Wildcats would take the lead in the bottom of the seventh after an RBI single from Carlos Vasquez to score Kennedy. Arizona State would put up two runs in the eighth inning to regain the lead, and the Wildcats would only get one more hit in the last two innings of the game, and would be unable to pull out the win.

James Guyette got the start on the mound for the ‘Cats. Through five innings pitched, he recorded five strikeouts, allowed five hits, and three runs. The Wildcats had 10 runners left on base and recorded four runs off seven hits.