K-State smashed four home runs Thursday night, including a go-ahead three-run home run from Nick Goodwin in the seventh inning, on its way to scoring seven unanswered runs and downing No. 7 Texas 8-5 at Tointon Family Stadium in the series opener.
K-State (16-16, 2-8 Big 12) faced a 5-1 deficit after the fifth inning, tallying just one run on three hits to that point against starter Pete Hansen. The Wildcats then produced seven runs on six runs over the next two frames, with Goodwin's homer breaking a 5-5 tie and capping a five-run seventh.
"Proud of our guys for staying with it and being resilient," head coach Pete Hughes said. "Last weekend was very emotional for these guys, we let a couple games get away and those are crucial games … They keep things quiet and keep things focused. Down 5-1, they kept playing. A pretty mature approach for being down.
"I thought it was a good team effort from everybody. I could've given out a lot of game balls today. When you've got a lead late, you've got to put someone away and expand and expand."
Hansen left the game in the seventh with runners on the corners and with the Cats already having scored two. Goodwin was the first hitter that reliever Jared Southard saw, and the K-State shortstop deposited the second pitch Southard threw over the left-center field fence.
"I was going to bunt, good thing I didn't," Hughes said with a smile. "I was going to bunt (Goodwin). There was a pitching change, so I said, 'Hey, look. Why don't you go after the first pitch and the second pitch stay with me, I think I want to safety squeeze.' I was down at third base with Dominic Johnson and told him the same thing.
"His first swing he fouled it straight back and it was an unbelievable swing. Then I told Dom Johnson that we're not bunting. It worked out great … I just loved his swing and knew he was on it."
"Yeah, that's what he told me," Goodwin added. "But I guess I took a pretty good swing at that first slider and he gave me the green light for the next pitch. After putting a good swing on a hanging slider, I kind of figured they'd be coming back with a fastball. So I was sitting fastball, looking for a pitch that I could hit through the infield or even into the outfield and drive in a run. Just happened to hit it really well."
Three of Goodwin's five home runs this season have been game-tying or go-ahead shots. The sophomore has now hit four homers over his last six games.
Hansen recorded all eight of his strikeouts through the game's first three innings – and all eight coming over the first 10 Wildcat hitters he faced. Texas' left-hander finished the night with a career-high six earned runs on eight hits, seven coming over his last 3 1/3 innings.
"That kid's awesome," Hughes said of Hansen, the reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week. "His pitchability is through the roof, he doesn't miss a spot with his fastball. You've just got to stay with it and start picking pitches. He's done that to everybody this year.
"You've got to really stay focused, you've got to stay level-headed, not get too down and make your adjustments. Stay with the game plan, stay with the game plan. It could've gone the other way, down 5-1."
Dylan Phillips hit his first of two home runs off Hansen in the fourth inning, scoring the Cats' first run and trimming UT's lead to 3-1. Phillips launched his second bomb in the sixth inning, turning in his third multi-homer game of the year and eighth of his career.
"I felt good," said Phillips. "Even with the first strikeout, I felt like I was seeing it well. And at that point, I kind of knew how he was going to attack me. The rest of the night I just tried to stay out of two-strike counts and get a fastball I could handle early."
After starter Griffin Hassall pitched into the sixth inning, the K-State bullpen combined to keep the Longhorns (25-11, 5-5 Big 12) scoreless on just two hits over the game's final 3 2/3 innings.
Tyson Neighbors entered the game with two runners in scoring position and one out, lifting Hassall who tied his career high with six strikeouts. Neighbors struck out Trey Faltine before getting Dylan Campbell to ground out to thwart the threat and keep the score at 5-1.
Connor McCullough, who started last Sunday and is slotted to start Saturday's series finale, was called on when Texas managed two baserunners with just one away in the eighth. McCullough induced an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play and went on to retire all four he faced, earning his first career save.
"Any way to win a game on (Thursday) night, you go ahead and do it," Hughes said. "We got that lead and Connor McCullough, on three day's rest, unselfish. He was in the right frame of mind, he was ready and he was awesome."
"I was sitting on the couch in the clubhouse in the top of the seventh writing the scouting report for Saturday," said McCullough. "Then we score the fourth and fifth run(s) to tie it and that's when I go down to the bullpen; put my cleats on and head down there.
"Pitching's pitching, I think. Just go out there and throw strikes and that's what I did. It feels incredible, and hopefully this gives (us) momentum throughout the weekend."
It marked just the second career relief appearance for McCullough, who struck out two.
Neighbors was credited with his first career victory after throwing 1 2/3 shutout frames.
Four K-State pitchers combined to hold Texas without a hit with two outs (0-for-8) while limiting the Longhorns to 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
In building its 5-1 lead, UT got solo home runs from Silas Ardoin, Campbell and Douglas Hodo. Campbell and Hodo went back-to-back in the fifth inning.
Jeff Heinrich sparked K-State's five-run seventh with a leadoff homer, his fourth of the year.
UP NEXT
K-State and Texas continue the series Friday at 6 p.m. The game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage can be heard on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). Free, live audio is also available at K-StateSports.com/Watch.
