Facing a five-run deficit in the second round of the Conference USA Tournament, WKU Baseball pulled off a 7-6 comeback victory over the FIU Panthers Thursday, capped off by a walk-off home run from redshirt junior Carlos Vasquez.
The win marks the second consecutive walk-off win for the Hilltoppers, advancing them to the semifinals.
After allowing five runs across the first two innings, sophomore Drew Whalen followed with five scoreless innings, finishing with seven hits, five runs, one walk and nine strikeouts on 112 pitches.
Junior Ryan Wideman went 3-for-4 with three stolen bases and a run, following an 0-for-4 performance against New Mexico State in the first round.
Despite the win, WKU left 12 runners on base, stranding at least one runner in eight innings. The Hilltoppers also hit into two double plays, each resulting in a runner left on base.
FIU got out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning off a two-run home run from redshirt senior outfielder Austin Dearing. WKU left one on base in the bottom half of the frame.
With their next at-bat, the Panthers added three runs thanks to a three-run home run from graduate catcher Brendan Roney. The Hilltoppers cut their deficit by two in the bottom half of the inning off RBI singles from senior outfielder Joe Siervo and Vasquez.
Whalen retired the side in order in the third inning , giving the Panthers their first zero on the board. WKU brought the score within one in the bottom half. Lizama came home due to a throwing error at second, followed by an RBI single from senior first baseman Kyle Hayes, which made the score 5-4.
A quick fourth inning from Whalen retired the Panthers in order, putting another zero on the board. With two runners on base, Lizama hit into a double play, closing out the fourth.
The Panthers went down quietly in the fifth after a throw from senior left fielder Joe Siervo got senior first baseman Brylan West out running to second. The Hilltoppers left one more runner on base in the bottom frame.
To open the sixth, FIU left a runner on base, just their second of the afternoon. WKU turned the inning over and left two on base after senior center fielder Ryan Wideman struck out and Lizama grounded out.
FIU batters were dispatched in succession at the top of the seventh, giving Whalen his fifth scoreless inning. The Hilltoppers took the lead in the bottom frame off a two-RBI triple from senior catcher Camden Ross, giving WKU a 6-5 lead.
Senior pitcher Dawson Hall came out of the bullpen and held FIU scoreless at the top of the eighth. The Hilltoppers left bases loaded in the bottom frame.
Senior infielder Alex Ulloa hit a solo home run in the ninth, forcing WKU into the bottom of the ninth. With two outs in the bottom frame, Vasquez hit a walk-off home run to seal the deal on the 7-6 Hilltopper comeback.
WKU Baseball will face the winner of Kennesaw State vs FIU in the semi-final on Saturday, May 24. First pitch set for 8 a.m. CT. Fans can watch on ESPN+
Sports Reporter David Quintanilla can be reached at [email protected].
