Creighton Baseball Downs K-State, 9-8

Omaha, Neb. -- A seven-run second inning featuring a three-run homer from Connor Capece and a two-run double by Nate McHugh powered Bluejay Baseball to a 9-8 win over Kansas State on Tuesday, March 11.

The victory pushed Creighton to 8-4 on the season, while Kansas State fell to 9-6.

Trailing 2-0 after the Wildcats plated a pair in the top half of the second, Creighton got a leadoff double from senior Will MacLean and a one-out walk by junior Ben North. With two down in the frame sophomore catcher Capece blasted a 1-2 pitch over the left field wall to give Creighton a 3-2 edge. The next three Bluejays walked to load the bases on a total of 13 pitches, bringing Nolan Sailors to the dish. Creighton's leader worked a walk to make it 4-2, then MacLean was hit by a pitch to give the Bluejays a 5-2 edge. McHugh followed with a two-run double to put Creighton up 7-2.

Kansas State came roaring back with a grand slam in the fifth off the bat of Omaha native AJ Evasco, who cleared the bags after KSU filled them on two walks and a bloop single.

The Bluejays pushed their lead out to 9-6 with a pair of runs in the sixth courtesy of an RBI single by McHugh and a bases loaded ground ball double play.

Kansas State answered with a pair of runs in the seventh, but saw the potential game-tying run cut down at the plate in the top of the eighth.

Bluejay starter Ian Koosman earned the win (1-2), allowing two runs over four innings on two hits and one walk, while recording six strikeouts. Kansas State starter JJ Slack was tagged with the loss (0-2), allowing seven runs on three hits and five walks in 1.2 innings.

A trio of Bluejays closed the game with two hits (MacLean, McHugh and North), while Capece and McHugh each drove in three.

The Bluejays return to action on Friday, March 14 in the first of a three-game series at San Francisco. First pitch for the series opener is set for 4:00 p.m. (CT).