Utah lost to Kansas State by a score of 8-5 on Friday night in the opening game of their series at Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark, according to a March 27 announcement.
The loss puts Utah’s record at 13-10 overall and 3-4 in Big 12 play. The team finished with nine hits but could not recover from a six-run deficit after Kansas State scored five runs in the fourth inning.
Jet Gilliam led Utah offensively, going three-for-four with two runs batted in. Daniel Arambula hit his first home run for Utah, driving in two runs with a shot that traveled 417 feet and extended his hitting streak to fifteen games. Jake Long contributed an RBI double, extending his own hitting streak to eighteen games—the longest by a Utah player since Oliver Dunn’s eighteen-game streak during the 2019 season. Blake Eckerle also doubled and scored.
After two scoreless innings, Kansas State took the lead with a solo home run in the third inning before breaking out for five more runs in the fourth following a two-out rally. Utah had an early chance to score after leadoff hitter Jacobs doubled but was unable to capitalize. The Utes did break through offensively in the fifth when Eckerle doubled and was driven home by Long’s RBI double; Arambula followed up later that inning with his home run.
Kansas State added single insurance runs in both the seventh and eighth innings, bringing their total to eight. In response, Utah mounted a late push as Bradley Navarro walked and Nevan Noonan doubled; Gilliam then drove them both home with another double, narrowing the gap but ultimately falling short as Kansas State held on for victory.
Pitcher Colter McAnelly (2-4) took the loss despite recording seven strikeouts over six innings pitched. Relievers Ian Culver and Anson McGorman combined for solid bullpen work down the stretch, helping keep Utah within reach during later innings.
Utah will look to even up the series against Kansas State on Saturday at America First Ballpark, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m Mountain Time. Saturday will also feature a Community Service Drive where fans can donate non-perishable food items or new and gently-used clothing to support local organizations including Feed U Pantry on campus as well as Volunteers of America and The Road Home.
