Kansas State baseball stayed down south in their latest two-game series against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Their run production was down as well, as the Wildcats failed to score a run in a 1-0 shutout.
Kansas State's early aggression on the base path backfires
Maddox Mandino started the offensive effort for Louisiana in the first inning with a leadoff single. He swiped second base after a ten-pitch battle between Wildcat starter Tanner Duke and outfielder Mark Collins, which ended in a strikeout. Mandino tried his luck with a steal of third base but was cut down by Shea McGahan behind the dish.
The following frame, Dee Kennedy fought off a high two-strike pitch for a leadoff Kansas State single. His good fortune would end there, however, as he was caught stealing second base for his first failed attempt of the season. Kennedy was 7-7 beforehand.
Mark Collins gets his revenge
In his first start of the season, Mark Collins made the first mark on the scoreboard after a strikeout in his first at-bat. He sent a ball over the left field wall for his first career homer, putting the Cajuns up 1-0.
The first career homer for Mark Collins gives UL the lead after 3
— Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns® Baseball (@RaginCajunsBSB) February 25, 2026
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Starters reign supreme through six innings
It was a true pitchers' duel at Russo Park, as Sawyer Pruitt mowed down nine batters in six shutout innings. Tanner Duke settled in after giving up the homer in the third, as he retired the last 11 batters he faced. His 6.1 innings pitched mark a new career high.
The defense would continue all the way to the ninth inning, as Louisiana would have a save opportunity with Garret Carter on the hill. Dee Kennedy struck out swinging to start the frame, getting in the face of the home plate umpire in a fiery fit of frustration.
Grant Gallagher would keep the game alive with a nine-pitch walk, but the effort was made futile by the following Micah Kendrick lineout to end the game with only one Cajun run on the board.
The Wildcats squandered opportunities all game long, as they stranded seven total baserunners. Five innings started with leadoff men reaching for Kansas State, but third base and home plate went untouched all night.
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