K-State Baseball Press Conference

BASEBALL POSTGAME QUOTES K-State 5, West Virginia 2 | April 24, 2021 PETE HUGHES, K-STATE HEAD COACH Opening Statement… “We parlayed the big inning today. It gave us some breathing room, but when you have a quality start like we had from Connor (McCullough), it allows you to have some time to pick that inning. Everything begins and ends with a quality start, and if you get one like that, especially to get us back in a series, that was the story of the day. Seven innings pitched, one hit, eight strikeouts, no walks, it gives you a lot of wiggle room to get your offense going.” On taking an early lead and not settling... “It’s difficult a little bit but if you are a mature team that’s locked in you don’t ever look at the scoreboard. I always say you can judge what kind of character your team has when you’re five runs up or five runs down and how they approach those two scenarios. I was disappointed we didn’t extend that lead with their bullpen, but it’s something we can build on. We did have a chance to get a run there with a sacrifice fly, but (Zach) Kokoska didn’t go, so that would’ve given us a little more wiggle room. It is a challenge always, but I don’t think we are one of those teams who are going to take their foot off the gas pedal. Their bullpen did a good job.” On Terrence Spurlin… “It’s just great to have him back in our lineup because he’s such a security blanket for us defensively, and it gets (Dylan) Phillips back in the outfield and adds another quality player to our lineup. He’s a veteran guy who gives you really mature, veteran at bats and that's awesome for that kid. He doesn’t feel good at all. He is not healthy and playing at a high level. He’s a pretty tough kid.” On Connor McCullough… “When he throws his breaking ball and slider for strikes and then when he can move the slider across the plate and put it in chase locations, that’s when he’s really good. I saw some life in his arm. He had a quick arm today. I can tell right away when he has his stuff. I can see it in his face. But everything comes off that breaking stuff. He gets the slider going in one direction and the curve ball going up and down, it’s pretty tough to get settled in on what pitches and patterns he has. He threw a ton of strikes and obviously got a little tired at the end, but when you don’t walk anyone and the hit that broke up the no-hitter was an infield hit, that’s a pretty good outing.” CONNOR MCCULLOUGH, R-FRESHMAN PITCHER On if today was his best start of the season… “Yeah, 100 percent that was by far my best start. I haven’t been able to have all pitches working like that all year. It clicked today and when it’s like that, it makes life a lot easier. I would definitely agree with that.” On the sixth inning... “It was more on me. I may have gotten a little fatigued. I don’t know. I hit a couple guys which doesn’t help at all. With runners on base, time always slows down. You gotta stay with it, and I think I just got a little sped up with runners on base there. Luckily we got out of it with minimal damage.” On working with the lead... “It makes it much easier. Terrence’s home run in the third or fourth, that was a huge relief. It takes a lot of pressure off.” On helping the team get a chance for a series win on Sunday... “Yeah, last night was a game we should’ve won. Wicks had a great outing. The bats didn’t really wake up yesterday, but they did today. We weren’t too worried about it today. As long as I had my stuff, we knew we were going to be alright and the bats came out which is always a huge help.”.

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