VISUALS: WKU Baseball splits series against Indiana University

Jacob Sebastian and Sam Huffman

March 1, 2026

Western Kentucky University outfielder Kiefer Tarnoki (10) side eyes the Indiana defense while game officials debate if he received a hit by pitch on his hand during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Tarnoki was given the hit by pitch, awarding him his one run batted in of the game. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University catcher Camden Ross (8) jets to first base after a hit during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Ross finished the game with three hits, two runs batted in, one run, and a whopping 10 putouts. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers pitcher Zach Lyles (27) faced eight batters and pitched 1.2 innings on Sunday, March 1, 2026, during a home game against the Indiana University Hoosiers. (Sam Huffman)

Western Kentucky University infielder JP Acosta (4) prepares for a bunt during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Acosta finished the game with three at-bats, two putouts, and three assists. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers catcher and infielder Kyle Hayes (20) catches the ball while Indiana University Hoosier infielder Landen Fry (25) runs to first base on Sunday, March 1, 2026, during a home game against the Indiana University Hoosiers. (Sam Huffman)

Western Kentucky University catcher Camden Ross (8) motions to his teammates after sliding to safety past the IU offense at third base during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Ross finished the game with three hits, two runs batted in, one run, and a whopping 10 putouts. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University catcher/infielder Kyle Hayes (20) tags out Indiana outfielder Ayden Crouse (5) during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Hayes finished the game with three at-bats, two runs, one hit, and one walk. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers pitcher Ka’olu Holt (18) pitched 2.0 innings and had one strikeout on Sunday, March 1, 2026, during a home game against the Indiana University Hoosiers.

Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers infielder Reid Howard (3) steals third base on Sunday, March 1, 2026, during a home game against the Indiana University Hoosiers. (Sam Huffman)

Indiana University right-handed pitcher Jacob Vogel (21) takes a deep breath and exhales while adjusting his hat before continuing to pitch during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Vogel pitched for one inning and gave Western three walks and two runs with 24 pitches thrown. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University right-handed pitcher Gavin Perry (44) deters a steal from the IU offense during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Perry pitched five innings with 89 pitches, 21 batters faced, and six strikeouts. (Jacob Sebastian)

Dana Earheart shows her support for Western Kentucky University infielder Austin Haller (2) with a homemade poster during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Earheart has always loved baseball and began watching Western games under coach Joel Murrie. She is now a 22-season straight attendee. In the beginning, she would leave directly after work at Walmart to attend the games. Dana makes hand-drawn posters of each player in her free time and gives them to the players before the season ends. Sometimes she will make up to 40 posters a year. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University infielder Austin Haller (2) gives head coach Marc Rardin a handshake, leading to a hug before Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Haller went on to finish the game with three at bats, two putouts, and four assists. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University pitcher Declan Francis (34) pitched 1.0 innings on Sunday, March 1, 2026, during a home game against the Indiana University Hoosiers. (Sam Huffman)

Indiana University Hoosiers outfielder Ayden Crouse (5) is checked for a face injury after being hit in the head with the ball during a pick attempt on Sunday, March 1, 2026, during a home game against the Indiana University Hoosiers. (Sam Huffman)

Western Kentucky University infielder JP Acosta (4) makes a successful hit on the ball during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Acosta finished the game with three at-bats, two putouts, and three assists. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University right-handed pitcher Gavin Perry (44) smiles as he walks into the dugout after his second shutout inning during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Perry pitched five innings with 89 pitches, 21 batters faced, and six strikeouts. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers infielder Reid Howard (3) ran to first base on Sunday, March 1, 2026, during a home game against the Indiana University Hoosiers. (Sam Huffman)

Western Kentucky University catcher Camden Ross (8) screams in happiness after Western outfielder Kiefer Tarnoki (10) receives a hit by pitch after a debate during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Ross finished the game with three hits, two runs batted in, one run, and a whopping 10 putouts. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University infielder Reid Howard (3) takes a hit by pitch during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Howard finished the game with one hit and one walk. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University right-handed pitcher Gavin Perry (44) stands for the national anthem with his pitcher’s glove placed in front of him at the start of Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. The Ephesians 6:4 inscription on the glove reads as follows: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University catcher/infielder Kyle Hayes (20) looks to the umpire after tagging out Indiana outfielder Ayden Crouse (5) while Crouse debates his safety during Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. Crouse was determined not safe. Hayes finished the game with three at-bats, two runs, one hit, and one walk. (Jacob Sebastian)

Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers pitcher Trey Reinberg (15) pitched two strikeouts and faced four batters on Sunday, March 1, 2026, during a home game against the Indiana University Hoosiers. (Sam Huffman)

Western Kentucky University outfielder Hayden Nazarenus (12) was at bat four times on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at a home game against the Indiana University Hoosiers (Sam Huffman)

Western Kentucky University infielder Austin Haller (2) hugs infielder Reid Howard (3) after Indiana catcher Owen ten Oever (26) grounds out at second base, ending Western’s game against Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Nick Denes Field. WKU won the match 4-1. (Jacob Sebastian)

The Indiana University Hoosiers celebrated after catcher Brayden Ricketts (42) scored a home run on Sunday, March 1, 2026, during a home game against the Indiana University Hoosiers. (Sam Huffman)

About the Contributors

Jacob Sebastian

Jacob Sebastian, Staff Photographer

Jacob Sebastian is a photographer for the Herald. Sebastian is a sophomore double majoring in Photojournalism and Environmental, Sustainability, and Geographic Studies. Originally from Cub Run, Kentucky, this is his first year on Herald staff.

Sam Huffman

Sam Huffman, Staff Photographer