WKU Baseball bounced back Tuesday with an 11-3 win over the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels.
After suffering its first loss of the season Monday at Murray State, WKU improved to 6-1 and remained perfect at home at 6-0.
“Last night was frustrating for everybody that was on the bus, so to come back and to give a good effort and to have some different result… That’s all important,” Head Coach Marc Rardin said.
Senior outfielder Ethan Lizama had a standout performance, going 4-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
The Hilltoppers pitching staff delivered another strong performance, allowing just five hits while striking out eight. Three of the four relief pitchers for the Hilltoppers were freshmen, Dominic Monaco, Taylor Penn and Max Winders. They combined for 5.1 innings, allowed only four hits and two runs and struck out four.
“They’re good kids. They have got bright futures… I thought they handled it really well today,” Rardin said.
WKU got on the board early in the first inning after a two-run home run from junior Ryan Wideman.
EKU responded in the second inning with a double that scored the runner from second. The Colonels extended their lead in the third after a two-run home run over the right field wall.
The Hilltoppers responded in the fourth inning with an RBI double from senior Carlos Vaquez, followed by three home runs from Lizama, senior Kyle Hayes, and junior Thomas Marsala giving the Hilltoppers a 7-3 lead
WKU extended their lead in the sixth inning on a ground out by Marsala that scored Wideman. The Hilltoppers scored again in the seventh inning by stealing home and two RBI singles, one by Wideman and the other by junior Camden Ross making the game 11-3.
WKU Baseball is scheduled for a four-game series against Central Michigan Feb.28-March 2 at Nick Denes Field.
Sports Reporter David Quintanilla can be reached at davidquintanilla0610@gmail.com
