Ex-Kansas State Wildcats Star Kaelen Culpepper Off To Strong Start With Minnesota Twins

Former Kansas State Wildcats baseball player Kaeden Culpepper is continuing to enjoy his adjustment to playing in the MLB. 

On Friday, he hit a home run in his first game at the professional level. He connected in just second at-bat. 

"It definitely felt great, you know what I mean?" Culpepper said to reporters after the game. "I fell behind in the count, but that didn't change anything. I feel like I strive with two strikes, so I stuck to my approach, got my hands back and saw something I could drive, took a really good swing on it."

Culpepper is the 13th Twins player to hit a home run in his first major league game, joining a group that includes Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti and Eddie Rosario.

K-STATE HOOPS ADD NEW RECRUIT 

The Kansas State Wildcats women's basketball has a new addition. 

On Thursday, it was announced the team signed center Tzoana Tampakou from Greece. The 6-foot-5 Tampakou played for Greece at the 2025 FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket Division B. She averaged 6.0 points on a 50 percent shooting with 7.3 rebounds in seven games.  

"We are excited to add Tzoana for the upcoming year," Wildcats coach Jeff Mittie. "She is a true center that has excellent skill around the basket with both hands and a great feel for the pick and roll and high-low game."

2029 FOOTBALL OPPONENT ANNOUNCED 

The Kansas State athletic department recently announced a new addition to the football schedule for 2029. 

The Wildcats will play host to Sam Houston State Bearkats Sept. 19 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. This is the third time the Wildcats will host the Bearkats. 

K-State is currently gearing up for its first season under coach Collin Klein. He is a former star quarterback for the program and getting his first chance as the man in charge. Klein spent the last two seasons at the offensive coordinator for the Texas A & M Aggies. 

The Wildcats, who were 6-6 last season, were picked to finish eighth in the Big 12 conference by the media. They are led by quarterback Avery Johnson, who is entering his third season as the starter. 

MORE KANSAS STATE NEWS 

Wildcats QB Avery Johnson gets another slight

Kansas State women's hoops adds player from Greece

The Wildcats will play a Conference USA opponent in 2029

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]