Kansas State avoids elimination, holds off Grambling State 9-8 in Fayetteville Regional

Kansas State holds off Grambling State 9-8

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Nick Martini hit a three-run double in the fifth inning, and Kansas State held off a valiant Grambling State rally for a 9-8 win Saturday in an elimination game at the Fayetteville Regional.

Martini’s hit gave the Wildcats a 9-1 lead in the fifth inning, but the Tigers (22-32) rallied and actually had the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the eighth. Relief standout James Allen got out of that jam and then made it through the ninth for his ninth save.

The previous night, Allen allowed his first homer of the season in the eighth inning, enabling Washington State to beat the Wildcats 8-6.

Kansas State (37-21) scored in each of the first five innings Saturday.