Cajuns Walk It Off in 11th to Sweep K-State

It was an unfortunate end to the game Wednesday night in Lafayette. The Cajuns hit a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to sweep the Cats in their two-game series.

Louisiana struck first with a sacrifice fly in the first inning off K-State starter Matthew Flores. Flores was relieved by Tazwell Butler in the fourth inning and went 4.1 innings without giving up a hit. During that stretch, K-State evened the score in the sixth inning with an RBI single from Grant Gallagher.

It was the bottom of the eighth inning with a runner on first and no outs when Louisiana hit a ground ball that K-State appeared to turn into a double play. However, after a challenge from the Cajuns, the runner was deemed safe at first. A pinch runner then stole second base, putting a runner on second with one out. The next Louisiana batter struck out, but on a dropped third strike, forcing Bear Madliak to throw to first to record the out. During the throw to first, the runner at second took off for third. First baseman Chandler Murray fired the ball to third to try to get the final out of the inning, but the throw sailed over the third baseman’s glove into foul territory, allowing the runner to score and take the lead in the bottom of the eighth. The Wildcats struck out the next batter for the final out of the inning.

If we know one thing about this K-State team, it is that they do not quit. The first batter of the top of the ninth was Gallagher, who hammered a home run to center field to tie the game at two apiece.

From there, it was a pitching duel into the 11th inning. With one out in the bottom of the inning, a Louisiana hitter launched a walk-off home run to left field.

K-State has much it can learn from this game heading into the weekend home series against Columbia. The pitching staff and bullpen continue to be impressive, allowing just four runs on eight hits through 20 innings played Tuesday and Wednesday. It is the offense that seems to be searching for consistency, with only three runs scored on 10 hits in the series.

If you haven’t seen yet, there is a change to this weekend’s schedule. K-State will play a doubleheader Friday starting at 2:00 p.m. CST and a single game Saturday at 1:00 p.m. CST, all in an effort to beat the forecasted snow Sunday. It should be great weather for baseball Friday and Saturday, so get out to the ballpark if you are able!