K-State College World Series Bid Fall Short Against Oregon State, 4-3

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Sporting the second-best batting average in the nation, K-State did what it’s done all year by outhitting Oregon State 11-6 Monday night in the Super Regional elimination game. However, Oregon State took advantage of the opportunities it had, avoided errors, and held on to win 4-3 and advance to the College World Series.

Receiving his first start of the year, Big 12 Freshman of the Year Jake Matthys fell to 9-2 on the season after allowing three hits and two earned runs over 4.1 innings. Unfortunately, Matthys also walked a batter, and due to two errors saw all four baserunners score for the Beavers. The bullpen only allowed three hits and no runs the rest of the night, but the damage was already done.

It looked like K-State could mount another comeback reminiscent of its victory over Arkansas in the Regional Tournament. Trailing 4-1 in the eighth inning with two on, Blair DeBord lined a double to left field that scored them both and whittled the Beaver lead to 4-3. After a change in pitchers, RJ Santigate knocked a single to left field that looked safe to send DeBord home. However, the leftfielder quickly recovered the ball and rifled it home in time to tag DeBord out.

The decision to send DeBord home can be debated in hindsight, but it’s hard to argue there wasn’t some merit to the decision. With a runner within striking distance of tying the game, why not take the chance? Additionally, ninth hitter Lance Miles is only hitting .241 on the season and in fact struck out to start the ninth inning. The team wasn’t afraid to take what it wanted, and I appreciate the effort.

The #13 team in the country, I’m proud of what the Wildcats achieved this year. They won their first conference championship, advanced to their first Super Regional round, and were one run from their first College World Series before falling to #3 Oregon State. They also set a program record for wins (45). However, the loss is still a bitter pill to swallow.

K-State clearly won the first game. Oregon State deserved to win the second. And in a stellar third game of baseball, K-State won almost every category but the scoreboard. The two errors killed the Wildcats (and Matthys), and may have been the difference in the game. Yet the Wildcats still outhit the Beavers, 11-6. They also earned more walks, 4-3, and only struck out six times compared to nine for Oregon State. However, that’s no reason to remember the season with bitter disappointment. The BatCats had a great year, with multiple players drafted and some incredible talent (including Matthys) returning in 2014. K-State will be back next year, and is my pick to repeat as Big 12 Champion.