4-run 8th inning dooms Utes in Big 12 tournament loss to Kansas State
Utah lost its first-ever Big 12 baseball tournament game as Kansas State used a four-run eighth inning to defeat the Utes, 9-5.
University of Utah baseball players huddle as the team plays Vanderbilt in a fall exhibition game at the The Ballpark at America First Square in Daybreak, Utah, on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. The Utes will play their first home game at the program's new on-campus facility, Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark, on Friday against Grand Canyon.
| Sophia Kuder No. 10-seeded Utah lost its first-ever Big 12 baseball tournament game as No. 11-seeded Kansas State used a four-run eighth inning to defeat the Utes 9-5 in Surprise, Arizona.
In a back-and-forth game, Kansas State retook the lead for good in the top of the eighth on an error by Ute catcher Derek Smith. Smith tried to nab Carlos Vasquez on a pitchout to third base, but his throw was off the mark and into left field, allowing Vasquez to score the go-ahead run. That was just the start of the Utes’ woes in the frame, as Cadyn Karl singled, stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch.
Dee Kennedy brought him home with an RBI single that put Kansas State up 7-5. A two-RBI single by Ty Smolinski later in the inning increased the Wildcats’ lead to 9-5. Jake Long, a consistent offensive presence for the Utes and an All-Big 12 second team honoree, broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth inning with a double to right field that brought home two runs and advanced to third on an error by Kansas State right fielder Kyan Lodice.