WKU Baseball extended its 11-game win streak Tuesday in a 21-2 run-rule win against the Southern Illinois Salukis.
The Hilltoppers remained undefeated at Nick Denes Field. WKU holds a 15-0 record at home and an overall 16-1 record which is the best start to a season in program history.
Junior Ryan Wideman hit the first cycle in program history and continued his great 2025 season. Wideman went 4-6 with nine RBIs and a grand slam.
“I just want to thank God first for giving me the opportunity to do this tonight and want to thank Coach for always putting me out there and my teammates for a high-scoring game and it was just a really fun game,” Wideman said.
The Hilltopper’s pitching continued to be a threat to opposing batters, keeping the Salukis to four hits and two runs, and striking out eight batters. Senior Lucas Litteral started on the mound going three innings, keeping SIU to one hit, two runs and striking out four batters.
SIU started the scoring in the first inning with a sac fly to score the runner from third.
The Hilltoppers responded in the first inning from a sac fly by junior Camden Ross scoring the runner from third.
The Salukis took the lead back in the second inning with a solo home run making the game 2-1.
WKU stole the lead in the second inning on a two-RBI double by Wideman and an RBI single by junior Thomas Marsala.
The Hilltoppers extended their lead in the third inning scoring five runs. A grand slam by Wideman and an RBI single by Ross gave WKU a 9-2 lead.
WKU added three runs to its lead in the fourth inning. Junior Carlos Vasquez flied out to center field bringing in the first run of the inning and freshman Reid Howard scored after a wild pitch. Senior Austin Haller stole home scoring the final run of the inning.
The Hilltoppers increased their lead in the fifth inning. First from an RBI single by Howard and an RBI double by Haller. An RBI single by junior Joe Siervo and an RBI triple by Wideman put WKU up 17-2.
WKU scored their final runs in the sixth inning on an RBI single by junior Caleb Niehaus, a fielder’s choice that junior Kyle Hvidsten scored on and a two-RBI single from Wideman.
“We’re just playing good baseball,” Head Coach Marc Rardin said. “We got a good group of guys together, some pitching, some hitting and some defense. We have some depth in our lineup.”
WKU is scheduled for a three-game series against University of Tennesse at Martin March 14-16 at Nick Denes Field.
Sports Reporter David Quintanilla can be reached at [email protected].
