WKU Baseball earned its second Conference USA sweep of the season at Liberty University April 11-13.
The Hilltoppers moved to 9-3 in conference play and carry an overall record of 31-5. WKU improved to 9-5 on the road. The game three win earned Head Coach Marc Rardin his 100th win as head coach of the program.
WKU’s pitching staff held Liberty to seven runs across the series, struck out 30 and only issued ten walks.
In the batter’s box, the Hilltoppers scored 14 runs on 28 hits. Senior infielder Austin Haller had an impressive series going 4-for-4 in the first game and going 5-for-11 with two RBIs overall.
Game 1
WKU took game one from Liberty Friday in a 6-2 victory.
The Hilltoppers opened the scoring in the second inning, first with an RBI single from freshman Reid Howard, followed by an RBI single by Haller. Howard then came home off a throwing error from Liberty, giving WKU a 3-0 lead.
Liberty got a run back in the second inning off an RBI single, making the game 3-1.
WKU extended its lead in the seventh inning, first with an RBI by senior Camden Ross. A double steal attempt from the Hilltoppers brought Ross home, giving the Hilltoppers a 5-1 lead.
Liberty got another run in the seventh inning off an RBI single, cutting the Hilltoppers’ lead to 5-2.
The Hilltoppers got another run in the eighth inning off an RBI double from senior Ryan Wideman.
Junior Jack Bennett went 5.1 innings, keeping Liberty to four hits, one run, three walks and striking out five. Senior Lucas Hartman came in relief and tossed 3.2 innings, keeping the Flames to four hits, one run, two walks and striking out three.
Game 2
WKU took the series win in game two Saturday in a 4-2 win.
The Hilltoppers got on the scoreboard in the second inning, after senior Kyle Hayes scored on a Liberty balk. WKU extended its lead in the fourth inning off an RBI single from Haller, giving WKU a 2-0 lead.
Liberty tied the game in the fourth inning with a two-RBI double.
WKU took the lead in the eighth inning with a sacrifice bunt from Ross, scoring Wideman. The Hilltoppers got another run in the ninth inning off a groundout from Haller that brought Howard home.
Junior Dawson Hall went five innings, keeping Liberty to three hits, two runs, one walk and six strikeouts. The Hilltoppers bullpen tossed four innings, keeping the Flames to three hits, zero runs, zero walks and eight strikeouts
Game 3
WKU finished the series sweep Sunday with a 4-3 victory.
The Hilltoppers scored all four runs in the second inning, first with a two-RBI double from Howard, followed by a passed ball that allowed Howard to score. Vasquez hit a single that scored junior Henry Brown.
Liberty cut the deficit to one in the eighth inning after sophomore Evan Jones allowed a three-run home run.
Sophomore Drew Whalen threw six scoreless innings, keeping Liberty to two hits, two walks and striking out six.
WKU Baseball returns to action April 15 at the University of Louisville. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
Sports reporter David Quintanilla can be reached at davidquintanilla0610@topper.wku.edu.
