K-State Baseball Opens Season Against Washington in Conway, S.C.

CONWAY, S.C. – The 125th season of Kansas State University baseball and its seventh under head coach Pete Hughes begins Friday at 10 a.m. CT against Washington at Springs Brooks Stadium as part of the Baseball at the Beach tournament. This matchup marks the opening game of a four-game weekend series against Washington, Coastal Carolina, and Saint Joseph's.

The Wildcats are coming off a successful campaign that saw them reach the NCAA Tournament and appear in the Super Regional for the first time since 2013. K-State finished the previous season with a 35-26 record, including a remarkable sweep at the Fayetteville Regional.

The season opener will feature redshirt senior pitcher Ty Ruhl taking the mound for K-State. Ruhl, who has experienced setbacks due to injuries throughout his college career, aims to make a strong impression in his first Opening Day start.

On the opposing side, Washington is expected to start right-handed pitcher Max Banks, a senior transfer from Chapman University. Last season, Banks posted a 3.00 ERA across 18 innings, and this game will mark his first official start for the Huskies.

“It’s a fresh start for both teams, and we’re excited to see how our players perform,” Hughes said. “Our roster has a mix of returning talent and new faces, which will play a significant role in our success this season.”

K-State returns 14 letterwinners, including standout players who made contributions last year. Among them are All-Big 12 honorable mention Ethan English, who had a notable season, and defensive standout Kyle Bishop, who maintained a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

The Wildcats also welcome 23 newcomers to the roster, consisting of 17 transfers and six freshmen. The infusion of talent aims to bolster the team’s competitive edge, as they were picked to finish eighth in the Big 12’s preseason coaches’ poll.

Following Friday’s opener, K-State will take on tournament host Coastal Carolina on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT, followed by a matchup against Saint Joseph’s on Sunday at 10 a.m. Both games against Coastal Carolina will be broadcast on ESPN+, while live stats will be available for all games.

“The upcoming matches are critical for establishing our identity,” Hughes added. “We will need contributions from various players to navigate through tough competition.”

K-State last competed against Washington in 2021, where the Huskies have historically led the series with a 6-1 record. The Wildcats will look to shift momentum in the opening weekend of play.

To purchase tickets for the games, fans can visit the Coastal Carolina athletic ticket office or check KStateSports.com for season ticket information.