Kennedy’s Record Blast Lifts K-State Past GCU

Tuesday, April 21

Phoenix, AZ

3 p.m.

Kansas State University

26-15

Grand Canyon

14-26

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Kansas State	0	1	1	0	1	5	0	0	0	8	11	1
Grand Canyon	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	7	1

Apr 21, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

PHOENIX, Ariz. – K-State scored seven unanswered runs, highlighted by Dee Kennedy's record-breaking home run, to pull away with an 8-3 victory over Grand Canyon Tuesday afternoon at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark.

K-State trailed early as GCU (14-26, 6-9 Mountain West) jumped out to a 3-1 lead behind a two-run homer in the first. The Wildcats (26-15, 9-9 Big 12) chipped away before Kennedy delivered a game-tying home run – his 17^th of the year – to fuel a five-run sixth inning. Cohen Feser, who tossed four shutout innings to earn his second win of the season, alongside Adam Arther and Miles Smith backed the late surge, combining for seven scoreless innings to secure the team's 15^th road victory of the year.

"Proud of our guys finishing up a tough road trip at this part of the season," said head coach Pete Hughes. "For us to win three out of four and still play with energy in hot and uncomfortable conditions was impressive. We played with great energy today in our fourth game, which was awesome."

"Cohen Feser let our offense get settled in and extend a lead, and we showed some great plate discipline and took advantage of some walks that kind of provided our scoring for today. Cadyn Karl had a great day with eight put outs in center field and a triple short of the cycle. Overall, proud of our guys. Great effort on game four in the road trip."

With his 17th homer of the season, Kennedy became the first junior in school history to reach the milestone, breaking the previous junior single-season home run record set by Heath Schesser in 1997. The Fort Worth native's mark also tied the program's all-time single-season record, as he became just the second Wildcat to reach 17, joining former teammate Keegan O'Connor, who set the mark last season.

"We're excited for Dee," Hughes added. "He came to K-State to help us sustain our success and to be one of the best to wear the purple, and that's exactly what he's doing – with a lot more baseball to play."

THE RUNDOWN
GCU plated two in the opening frame with Cannon Perry's two-run blast to straightaway center.

Right-hander Billy Gregory retired five consecutive Wildcats before surrendering a hit, as Cadyn Karl belted a solo blast 396-feet over the wall in centerfield to pull within one.

Jacob Limas relieved Gregory in the third, inheriting runners on first and second with one out. The Lopes' reliever forced a fly out to left for the second out, but AJ Evasco shot the first pitch he faced through the right side to push a run across the plate.

Feser set down the Lopes in order in three consecutive innings before allowing a hit in the sixth. The right-hander finished the game retiring 13 of the 15 batters he faced before handing the ball over to Arther.

After a scoreless fourth, the Wildcats leveled the score with Kennedy's 17^th blast of the season.

Tied 3-3, K-State erupted for five unanswered runs in the sixth inning. Bear Madliak scored the go-ahead run on bunt single from Cadyn Karl before GCU walked in a pair of runs to extend the Wildcats' lead. Kennedy and Evasco each drove in a run to cap the five-run inning surge.

GCU threatened in the bottom of the inning, but Feser worked out of the bases loaded jam to preserve the lead.

INSIDE THE BOX

K-State scored eight runs on 11 hits, committed one error and stranded eight on base, while GCU plated three runs on seven hits with one error and five left on base.
Seven different Wildcats contributed a hit, led by three-hit performances from Kennedy and Karl, including home runs from each.
Karl was a triple shy of hitting the cycle.
Kennedy and Evasco each led with a game-high two RBI.
Feser, Adam Arther and Miles Smith combined for seven shutout innings in relief.
Feser held GCU to one hit over four shutout innings in relief, finishing the outing two strikeouts and a walk.
Jace Smith (0-2) suffered the loss in relief, allowing five earned runs on two hits with four walks.
Six players hit for GCU, led by two from Billy Scaldeferri.

TEAM NOTES

Tuesday marked the fourth meeting between the Wildcats and Lopes, with K-State leading the all-time series 4-0.
It was the first matchup between the two squads since 2016.
In 23 of 41 games this season, K-State has recorded double-digit hits.
The Wildcats improved to 17-6 against non-conference opponents, that includes a 4-2 advantage in true road games.
K-State had recorded two or more home runs in 19 games this season, going 14-5 when hitting multiple.

PLAYER NOTES

Karl launched his fifth home run of the season, becoming the eighth player with five or more.
With his 17^th home run of the season, Kennedy became the junior single-season home run record holder and tied the all-time single-season record. He is the second player is
Kennedy's home run marked his 32^nd extra-base hit of the season. He is the 13^th player in school history with 32 or more extra-base hits in a season, and sixth under Hughes.
Chandler Murray has recorded a hit in five consecutive games.

ON DECK
K-State will return to Tointon Family Stadium for the annual Dillons Sunflower Showdown with the 16^th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks (29-11, 14-4 Big 12), starting Friday at 6 p.m. CT. The entire showdown will broadcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN app.

– k-statesports.com –

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