WKU Baseball defeated the Belmont Bruins 7-2 at First Horizon Park on Wednesday Night. 

The Hilltoppers improved their record to 13-8 and 1-1 on the road. 

WKU’s offense found help from Belmont’s pitching as the Hilltoppers walked eight times and were hit by two pitches. Overall, the Hilltoppers outhit the Bruins 5-2. 

Graduate right-hander Sam Heyman started for the Bruins and was run out after just two outs in the first. The Hilltoppers scored two runs off Heyman, the first due to a fielder’s choice with bases loaded. Junior outfielder Hayden Robbins brought in the second run with an RBI double. 

Junior infielder Lane Arroyos extended his on-base streak to 21 after hitting a three-run home run in the top of the second to extend the Hilltoppers’ lead to 5-0. The home run would be Arroyos’ only hit as he finished 1-5 with three RBI.

The Hilltoppers added two more runs in the sixth; senior infielder Austin Haller was brought in by a sacrifice fly by senior infielder Kyle Hayes. Senior catcher Camden Ross then came home after a passed ball by Belmont’s catcher, redshirt senior Mike Sprockett. 

WKU’s pitching was dominant on the mound, holding Belmont hitters to two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out eleven. Redshirt-freshman left-hander Roman Petricca made his season debut, going 0.2 innings in the fifth while getting one strikeout. Junior right-hander Bryson Vawter also made his season debut, putting down the Bruins in order in the second inning. 

WKU Baseball will return to action March 20-22 as they travel to Jacksonville State for a three-game Conference USA series.