‘Whatever it takes to win’: K-State baseball player ready to compete

MANHATTAN (KSNT) – Two Kansas State receivers have entered the transfer portal after the end of the 2024 season, including Raphael Pelletier.

Pelletier has 110 starts for K-State between 2023 and 2024. The Wildcats, as expected, have begun recruiting a man behind the plate from the transfer portal.

Graduate transfer Keegan O’Connor announced his commitment to the Wildcats via social media on Wednesday, June 26.

O’Connor comes to K-State after four years at Quinnipiac University (2021-24) where he was selected to the 2023 All-MAAC First Team. The fifth-year catcher started in 148 with the Bobcats and finished with a .321 batting average.

K-State head baseball coach Pete Hughes has been clear with his fellow Northeastern native: There are no handouts. O’Connor knows he’ll have to earn and keep a spot on the team.

“The biggest thing is they’re recruiting big guys, and I want to play on a team with a group of guys that are always going to put in the extra effort,” O’Connor said. “That was a good fit for me. He didn’t guarantee anything, which is great. I want to go to a place where they’re not going to beat around the bush with what they expect from recruits and stuff. You have to work for everything, that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

The move from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to the Big 12 presents a challenge, but it’s one the new “Cat” is looking forward to.

“What I care about most is winning, I just want to win,” O’Connor said. “I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”

O’Connell, originally from Andover, Massachusetts, quickly hit it off with Hughes, a Boston native.