After scoring just one run over their last three games, the Toppers busted out for eight runs on 12 hits Saturday to earn a victory.

WKU’s (14-20, 6-8 Sun Belt Conference) 8-3 victory evened the series with Arkansas State (20-16, 9-5) at Tomlinson Stadium in Jonesboro, Ark.

The Toppers gained a lead they never relinquished in the top of the first inning on a two-RBI double by senior right fielder Ryan Hutchison to make it 2-0.

Arkansas State cut WKU’s lead to 2-1 in the bottom half of the inning on a sacrifice fly.

However, that’s as close as the Red Wolves would come, as the Toppers added three runs of their own in the top of the fifth inning to take a 5-1 advantage.

The three runs were recorded on an RBI single by sophomore first baseman Scott Wilcox and a two-RBI double by junior designated hitter Adam Lavelle.

Lavelle and Wilcox led WKU’s offense with three hits apiece.

WKU tacked on another run in the top of the sixth inning on an Andreoli RBI single that made it 6-1 in favor of the Toppers.

Junior left-hander Tim Bado started on the mound for WKU and pitched a solid 5 1/3 innings while allowing two earned runs on five hits and three walks.

Just for insurance, the Toppers plated two more runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a 8-3 edge — plenty to earn the victory over Arkansas State.

Senior right-hander Ross Hammonds came on in relief of Bado and allowed just one run on five hits in 3 2/3 innings of work. Hammonds closed out the win for the Toppers.

WKU will play the rubber match against Arkansas State at 1 p.m. Sunday with junior right-hander Taylor Haydel getting the start on the mound.