K-State Falls to No. 24 Nebraska Tuesday

Tuesday, March 24

Manhattan, Kan.

6 p.m.

Kansas State University

17-8

Nebraska

19-6

Nebraska

Kansas State

Mar 24, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Drew Grego's five RBI lifted No. 24 Nebraska to a 14-9 win over K-State at Tointon Family Stadium Tuesday night.

"Key point in the game was the top of the fifth," said head coach Pete Hughes. "We did a great job in the bottom of the fourth building a big inning with six runs. It is critical to have a shutdown inning when we go back on defense and keep the momentum of the game on our side. We were unable to do that, and it was the turning point in the game."

The Cornhuskers (19-6, 5-1 Big Ten) overcame a two-run deficit, erupting for five runs in the fifth to pick up their first win in Manhattan since April 4, 2023. Grego, a freshman from Papillion, Nebraska, homered twice in consecutive at-bats to secure the win over the Wildcats (17-8, 3-3 Big 12).

HOW IT HAPPENED
Nebraska took a 2-0 lead in the opening frame, behind hits from Mac Moyer, Jeter Worthley and Miken Miller.

The Wildcats answered with back-to-back doubles from Ty Smolinski and Grant Gallagher to knot the score at 2-2, but the Cornhuskers took advantage of a pair of wild pitches and a shallow hit by Grego to regain the lead, 6-2.

After holding the Cornhuskers in the top of the fourth, K-State exploded for six runs. AJ Evasco drove in a run before Kyan Lodice won an 11-pitch at-bat and laced a single into right center to bring the score within one. Trailing 6-5, Dee Kennedy delivered a game-tying double down the left field line, forcing Nebraska to make its third call to the bullpen in the inning. The Wildcats jumped ahead after taking advantage of a balk and wild pitch, 8-6.

The lead was short-lived, as Nebraska immediately responded with five runs in the fifth to shift momentum back in favor of the Cornhuskers.

INSIDE THE BOX

Nebraska scored 14 runs on 15 hits, committed one error and stranded eight on base, while K-State scored nine on 11 hits with no errors and leaving 10 on base.
Grego homered twice, going 3-for-4 with five RBI, followed by Jeter Worthley with three hits.
Lodice led the Wildcats with three hits while Smolinski and Gallagher each added two. Lodice and Evasco each drove in a pair of RBI.
Jalen Worthley (2-0) was awarded the victory in relief, logging 2/3 scoreless innings.
Aaron Arnold (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing three runs (earned) on three hits in his two innings in relief.
Nine pitchers made an appearance for Nebraska and six for K-State.
Nebraska hit .438 (7-for-16) with two outs and scored 10 runs with two away.
The Wildcats were 1-for-10 with two outs, only driving in one two-out RBI.

TEAM NOTES

Nebraska leads the all-time series 177-119, with a 81-73 edge in games played in Manhattan. With the win, Nebraska moves to 1-1 against K-State in 2026.
Tuesday's contest marked the Wildcats first home loss to the Cornhuskers since April 4, 2023.
K-State falls to 3-3 in midweek matchups.

PLAYER NOTES

Lodice produced his fourth multi-hit effort and second game with three hits, while Gallagher recorded his eighth game with two or more hits and Smolinski his fourth.
Smolinski has reached base in 17 consecutive games – a team-best – with a current four-game hitting streak.

ON DECK
K-State will face Utah (13-9, 3-3 Big 12) in a three-game Big 12 series this weekend, starting Friday at 7 p.m. CT at Charlie Monfort Field at American First Ballpark in Salt Lake City.

– k-statesports.com –

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