Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Collin Rothermel and Ty Ruhl combined to shut out Creighton 10-0 in seven innings Monday night at Tointon Family Stadium.
The Wildcats improved to 21-14 on the year as K-State blanked the Bluejays for the second time this season, while Creighton dropped to 14-12.
"Another character-building win for us and our program tonight," said Pete Hughes on his team's shutout victory. "It was difficult travel getting into Manhattan early this morning and quick turnaround after a heart-breaking series but again our guys showed how resilient and how tough they are."
Kaelen Culpepper laced an RBI double to right center to plate the game-winning run while Cole Johnson's three-run homer in the seventh secured the run-rule victory.
"They came out with energy and urgency on six hours of sleep, and played great baseball."
"We got a great start from Collin Rothermel. I'm really proud of Collin and how he's hung in there with the process."
Rothermel picked up his first victory of the season after tossing six complete innings and held the Bluejays to just two hits with six strikeouts.
"He was able to give our team a substantial amount of time to build a lead and win a ball game. It was a good night for our program."
Roberto Pena, Culpepper, and Johnson each went 2-for-3 at the plate with Pena and Johnson each registering three-RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
K-State opened scoring in the fourth frame with back-to-back doubles from Culpepper and Pena to take the early 2-0 lead.
Raphael Pelletier added a two-run single in the sixth to expand the Cats lead out to four before the Cats took control in the seventh frame that featured a three-run homer by Johnson, his eighth of the season.
The Wildcats strung together three consecutive hits led by Nick Goodwin before a walk loaded the bases with Pena returning to the plate. The senior roped the first pitch through the left side to plate a pair of runs before scoring on Johnson's homer out to left.
K-State reliever Ty Ruhl tossed a scoreless inning to preserve the shutout.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State scored 10 runs on 10 hits with five runners left on base
- Rothermel (1-1) picked up the win allowing just two hits with six strikeouts
- Seven Cats registered a hit in the nightcap; three had multiple
- Culpepper, Pena and Johnson each went 2-for-3 at the plate
- The Wildcats had three extra base hits
- Pena and Johnson each had three-RBI
- Johnson hit his eighth homer of the season; has 16 career home runs
- The Cats went 5-12 (.417) with runners in scoring position with three two-out RBI
- Creighton left seven runners on base
- Monday marked the Cats ninth 10+ run game
- K-State registered its second shutout of the season
- Ruhl tossed a shutout inning with one strikeout
NOTES
- K-State leads the all-time series 55-44-1 and 39-19-1 at home
- The Wildcats move to 13-4 at home and 15-8 in non-conference action
- The Cats walked seven times to bring the season total 239
- K-State has 48 home runs on the year
ON DECK
The Cats set out to Lawrence for the Dillons Sunflower Showdown against Kansas on April 14-15 at Hoglund Ballpark. The series can be seen on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app with radio coverage available on KMAN (93.3FM/1350AM) and a free live audio available at kstatesports.com/watch.