AUSTIN, Texas – K-State’s AJ Evasco homered twice to break program’s freshman home run and RBI records, however, the Wildcats were eliminated for the 2025 NCAA Tournament as top-seeded Texas powered to a 15-8 win Sunday afternoon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Evasco, a Lincoln, Nebraska native, needed just one home run and one RBI to match both freshman marks. He tied both records with his first homer of the game before breaking the tie in his next at-bat with a two-run shot to left field, taking sole possession of both records. It marked the first multi-homer game of his career and made him the sixth Wildcat this season to hit two or more in a game.
“Disappointing day. We got off to a bad start, and you can’t do that in somebody else’s stadium against a really good club – especially one as offensive as Texas,” seventh-year head coach Pete Hughes said. “Proud of the way we punched back in the first inning, that’s for sure. But you know, when you give someone four or sometimes five outs an inning with an offense like that it’s a dangerous way to live, and we just lived the result.”
K-State concluded its season with a 32-26 record, making its second straight NCAA Tournament run and first back-to-back appearances since 2010-11.
“It was a rewarding season. Obviously, we want to keep playing baseball but to be here as a regional team and reload – not rebuild – with everything we lost from last year and to maintain the high level of success, that’s the mark of a national team. So really proud of these guys.
We had a ton of new guys from all over the place adapt to our culture, which is the strongest thing in our program. That’s what leads you to play in June. And so, so we did it again with different people, and that’s this has a lot about our program and our brand,” added Hughes.
Texas (44-13), advancing to the regional finals against UTSA, jumped out to a commanding 6-0 lead in the first inning to back starter Rugar Riojas. After giving up the home run to Seth Dardar, the right-hander retired 18 of the next 19 batters. He improved his record to 9-3 and ended the game allowing seven runs, all earned, on six hits through 7 1/3 innings.
In addition to Evasco and Dardar, Keegan O’Connor, Sam Flores and Cayden Phillips each singled.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Texas quickly opened scoring in the first frame, spotting K-State starter Tanner Duke and reliever James Guyette for six runs with the help of a two-run homer by Max Belyeu and grand slam from Casey Borba.
The Wildcats answered in the bottom of the inning with three runs, as Dee Kennedy walked and moved into scoring position Keegan O’Connor’s shot into center to put runners on the corners. With one out, Dardar shelled his 13th homer to cut into the Longhorns’ lead to 6-3.
After a scoreless second inning, the Longhorns took control of the game, as Borba’s second home run of the game stretched the lead to seven, 10-3.
Trailing 14-3, the Wildcats tallied five runs in the final three innings, highlighted by two home runs from Evasco, but the Longhorns held on to advance to the regional finals.
INSIDE THE BOX
- K-State scored eight runs on six hits with two errors committed and five runners on base.
- Texas scored 15 runs on 16 hits, committed no errors, and stranded nine men on base.
- Four different Wildcats recorded a hit, led by two from Evasco (2-for-4) with three RBI.
- K-State had two players homer – Evasco (2), Dardar.
- Duke was spotted for five earned runs on four hits in his 1/3-ining start.
- Texas’ Riojas (9-3) picked up the win, surrendering seven runs, all earned, on six hits with six strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings of work.
- Dardar homered in the first – his second three-run homer at K-State.
- UT had three home runs, led by Borba with two.
- Borba went 4-for-5 with eight RBI.
TEAM NOTES
- K-State finished the year 32-26 and made its second straight run in the NCAA Tournament – first time making consecutive appearances since 2010-11.
- The Cats were one of six teams from the Big 12 to make it to Sunday.
- Evasco homered twice to break the school’s freshman home run and RBI record.
- K-State is 10-8 all-time during the regional round of the NCAA Tournament, including 4-2 in the Hughes era.
- Dardar is the third Wildcat to homer in the 2025 NCAA Austin Regional.
- Texas’ 15 runs are the most allowed in K-State’s postseason history.
2025 NCAA AUSTIN REGIONAL
Friday, May 30
1 p.m. CT – Game 1: No. 1 Texas 7, Houston Christian 1
6 p.m. CT – Game 2: No. 2 UTSA 10, K-State 2
Saturday, May 31
2 p.m. CT – Game 3: No. 3 K-State 7, No. 4 Houston Christian 4
8 p.m. CT – Game 4: No. 2/1 Texas vs. No. 2 UTSA
Sunday, June 1
2 p.m. CT – Game 5: No. 1 Texas 15, No. 3 K-State 8
6 p.m. CT – Game 6: No. 2 UTSA vs. No. 1 Texas
