WKU Baseball continued its successful 2025 season sweeping the Central Michigan Chippewas in a four-game series Feb. 28-March 2 at Nick Denes Field.
The Hilltoppers outscored the Chippewas 29-13 in the series. Leading the Hilltoppers offense was junior Ryan Wideman. Wideman went 9-17 with three RBIs and a home run.
The Hilltoppers record improved to 10-1, the best start to a season since 1928.
Game 1
The Hilltoppers won the first game of the series 9-4.
CMU got on the board first in the first inning from a pop-out that scored the runner on third.
WKU responded in the third inning after walks by junior Camden Ross and junior Kyle Hvidsten, bringing in two runs with the bases loaded. Junior Joe Siervo then hit a single, taking the lead 3-1.
The Hilltoppers extended their lead in the fourth on a fly out from Wideman scoring senior Henry Brown from third.
The Chippewas got a run back in the fifth off a sacrifice fly that scored the runner from third. CMU tied the game in the fifth after scoring on a fielding error and then a single that scored from third.
WKU took the lead back in the seventh from a single hit by Hvidsten, scoring the runner from third. The Hilltoppers added to their lead with a bases-clearing double by senior Carlos Vaquez making the game 8-4.
The Hilltoppers scored again in the eighth from a fly out by senior Caleb Marmo that scored the runner from third extending WKU’s lead to 9-4.
Game 2
The Hilltoppers won a close second game 2-0.
WKU got on the scoreboard first in the first inning from an opposite-field home run from senior Ethan Lizama.
The Hilltoppers extended their lead in the sixth inning off a triple by Hividsten that scored the runner from second.
Starting pitcher Jack Bennett pitched seven innings, allowing only three hits, one walk and striking out seven Chippewa batters.
Game 3
The Hilltoppers won the third game 10-5.
WKU got off to a quick lead in the first inning from a home run by Wideman.
CMU tied the game in the second inning with a single that scored the runner from third.
The Hilltoppers took the lead back in the second inning from a three-run home run from freshman Reid Howard, his first collegiate home run. WKU extended their lead from an RBI triple from Wideman that scored the runner from second, making the game 5-1.
The Chippewas scored in the fifth inning from an RBI single that led to a throwing error that scored another run, making the game 5-3.
The Hilltoppers responded in the fifth inning with a home run by Ross. WKU widened their advantage in the seventh inning from two back-to-back doubles from Ross and Marmo and an RBI single from junior Thomas Marsala that made the game 9-3.
WKU scored again in the eighth inning from a Chippewa balk that advanced Lizama from third.
CMU got two runs back in the ninth inning from a home run and an RBI single, making the final score 10-5.
Game 4
The Hilltoppers closed the series out winning 8-4.
WKU got the quick lead in the first inning from an RBI single from Marsala that scored the runner from second. The Hilltoppers extended their lead in the third inning from a pop-out from Marsala that scored the runner from third and a throwing error from the Chippewas that scored a runner.
CMU got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning with a solo home run, making the game 3-1.
The Hilltoppers added to their lead in the fifth inning from an RBI single by Lizama and a bases-loaded walk that scored another, making the game 5-1. WKU increased their lead in the seventh inning with a solo shot home run from Brown.
CMU got runs back in the eighth inning from a two RBI double and another RBI double making the game 6-4.
WKU fired back in the eighth inning from a bases-loaded single by Niehaus that scored two runners.
“I want to make alums proud to be part of it. I want the community, I want our administration and the kids are deserving of it right now,” Head Coach Marc Rardin said. “But it’s early in the season so I’m pretty humble about it but they’re doing a great job.
WKU Baseball’s next game will be March 3 against Tennessee Tech in Cookeville starting at 4 p.m.
