Kansas Triumphs in Big 12 Championship Opener with Dramatic Ninth-Inning Rally

In an electrifying start to the 2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship, the Kansas Jayhawks edged past Kansas State with a thrilling 2-1 victory, thanks to a decisive ninth-inning performance at Globe Life Field on Tuesday.

Matt Iaia/Undrafted

Thrilling Finish Secures Jayhawks' Victory

In a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Kansas managed to clinch the win with a crucial go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning. Lenny Ashby set the stage with his first triple of the season, followed by Collier Cranford driving him in with a sacrifice fly. This pivotal play marked the second consecutive year that Kansas has won the opening game of the Big 12 Championship, having upset No. 1-seeded Texas last season. The Jayhawks now boast a 30-21 record.

Strong Pitching Performance

Kansas' starter Evan Shaw delivered a solid performance, pitching five innings and allowing only one run while walking four and striking out six. The relief pitching was equally impressive, with Ethan Lanthier, Cooper Moore, Tegan Cain, and Hunter Cranton combining to throw four shutout innings. Each reliever pitched a single inning, with Cain earning the win and Cranton securing the save.

Matt Iaia/Undrafted

How the Game Unfolded

Scoreless Start: Both teams remained scoreless through the first three innings, showcasing strong defensive play.
Jayhawks Strike First: In the fourth inning, Ben Hartl broke the deadlock with a solo home run, giving Kansas a 1-0 lead.
Wildcats Respond: Kansas State tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning with an RBI single from Kaelen Culpepper.
Threat Neutralized: Kansas State posed significant threats in the sixth and seventh innings with two runners on base, but Kansas managed to escape both situations with timely strikeouts.
Ninth-Inning Heroics: The Jayhawks' decisive moment came in the ninth inning with Ashby’s leadoff triple and Cranford’s sacrifice fly to reclaim the lead at 2-1.
Sealing the Win: Cranton pitched a flawless bottom of the ninth, retiring all three batters to clinch the victory.

Matt Iaia/Undrafted

Pitchers of Record

Win: Tegan Cain (1-2) - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO
Loss: Tyson Neighbors (1-2) - 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 SO
Save: Hunter Cranton (7) - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO

Players of the Game

The quartet of Cooper Moore, Ethan Lanthier, Tegan Cain, and Hunter Cranton played pivotal roles in the victory. Their combined effort in four shutout innings held Kansas State to just one run and seven hits. Each pitcher recorded at least one strikeout, with Moore and Lanthier delivering crucial inning-ending strikeouts with two runners on base.

With this hard-fought win, the Kansas Jayhawks have set a strong tone for their campaign in the Big 12 Championship, showcasing resilience and clutch performance under pressure.