WKU Baseball took its last non-conference weekend series 2-1 against Indiana State at Nick Denes Field.
The Hilltoppers improve to 9-8 with one more non-conference game against Eastern Kentucky before Conference USA play begins.
Junior Lane Arroyos extended his on-base streak to 16 games, going 4-11 with four RBI and three walks, this weekend.
Graduate outfielder Parker Coley was key to the series win for the Hilltoppers. Coley went 4-12 on the weekend. In those four hits, Coley brought in five runners, including the walk-off RBI in game one and the go-ahead runs in game three.
“On the offensive side he’s (Coley) definitely one of our pillars that holds us up. You want him up in those spots with that two out double,” Head Coach Marc Rardin said. “We are glad we are getting him healthy. I wouldn’t say that he’s healthy, I am not sold on that yet but he’s getting there. Him being at about 85-90 percent is pretty good for us right now.”
Game 1
The Hilltoppers walked off the Sycamores in 10 innings to take game one, thanks to an RBI single by Coley.
WKU took a 5-3 lead into the ninth inning before giving up the tying runs off a bases-loaded walk given by junior left-hander Zach Lyles, followed by a sacrifice fly by junior outfielder Carter Beck.
Graduate right-hander Nathan Lawson relieved in the 10th inning and took down Indiana State in order.
In the bottom frame, junior outfielder Hayden Robbins walked and stole second, which allowed Coley to hit a ball to right field and bring home the game-winning run.
Graduate right-hander Gavin Perry started on the mound, going four innings, allowing six hits, three runs, three walks, while striking out four.
Game 2
Indiana State leveled the series, beating WKU 11-6 in game two.
The Sycamores’ offense overpowered the Hilltoppers over nine innings, as all nine starters recorded a hit in game two.
Senior outfielder Emil Estrella got the Sycamores to a quick lead with a grand slam in the second inning. He finished the game 3-4 with two home runs and five RBI.
The Hilltoppers tried to make a ninth-inning comeback happen, but couldn’t overcome Indiana State’s six straight innings with runs.
Sophomore right-hander Ty Brooks was awarded the win after going five innings, allowing four hits, three runs, and two walks, while striking out four.
Game 3
The Hilltoppers took the series after a 7-4 win in the series finale.
WKU and Indiana State were in a 3-3 deadlock after six innings. The Hilltoppers went on to flip the script in the seventh inning after back-to-back hits by pitches to senior infielder Kyle Hayes and senior catcher Camden Ross broke the tie. Coley then hit a bases-clearing three-RBI double to put the dagger into the Sycamores.
“That’s the batter’s box, not the pitcher’s box. If he’s going to throw it anywhere in that area, I mean, it’s something we preach, it’s something we teach, you don’t give him the plate and the batter’s box,” Rardin said.
Redshirt sophomore left-hander Zach Serup started and went three innings, holding Indiana State to one hit, one walk and struck out four.
Sophomore Jude Favela pitched the final three innings, allowing two hits, one run, and striking out three.
“As always, it has to start on the mound. Serup was great, Nate (Nathan Lawson) was great other than a couple of pitches, but still gave us a chance, and of course, Favela was tremendous,” Rardin said.
WKU Baseball returns to Nick Denes Field Wednesday, March 11, to face Eastern Kentucky in the Battle of the Bluegrass.
