Breaking news, sports and campus news from Western Kentucky University

WKUHerald.com
WKUHerald.com
WKUHerald.com

VISUALS: WKU Baseball goes 0-3 against Liberty Flames

Summer Crawford, Cayden Duncan, and Von Smith
April 4, 2026
Categories:
Liberty infielder Jordan Jaffe (18) slides into second during Western’s game against Liberty University on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Nick Denes Field. In the first game of the WKU series on April 2, Jaffe scored two runs. (Cayden Duncan)
Western Kentucky University pitcher Trey Reinburg (15) throws a pitch during WKU’s game against the Liberty Flames at Nick Denes Field on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Hilltoppers lost 3-8, which now left them with a 16-14 record going into the weekend games. (Summer Crawford)
Liberty University infielder Jordan Jaffe (18) misses a pitch thrown by Western Kentucky University left hand pitcher Zach Serup (42) during WKU’s game against the Liberty Flames at Nick Denes Field on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Hilltoppers lost 3-8. (Summer Crawford)
Western Kentucky University pitcher Gavin Perry (44) stayed on the mound for a career long eight innings and matched a career best for nine strikeouts during WKU’s 5-6 loss against Liberty University at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026. Perry allowed five hits and three runs. (Von Smith)
Western Kentucky University infielder Reid Howard (3) rushes toward second base during WKU’s game against the Liberty Flames at Nick Denes Field on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Hilltoppers lost 3-8, which now left them with a 16-14 record going into the weekend games. (Summer Crawford)
Liberty University pitcher Bradley Zayac (5) sends the ball back to first base as Western Kentucky University outfielder Parker Coley (5) attempts to steal second base during WKU’s 5-6 loss against Liberty University at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Von Smith)
Western Kentucky University outfielder Cael Frost (7) attempts to throw the ball to first base while the Liberty Flames make it to second and third during WKU’s game against the Liberty Flames at Nick Denes Field on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Hilltoppers lost 3-8, which now left them with a 16-14 record going into the weekend games. (Summer Crawford)
A Liberty University baseball player goes in to pick up the game ball in between innings during WKU’s game against the Liberty Flames at Nick Denes Field on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Hilltoppers lost 3-8, which now left them with a 16-14 record going into the weekend games. (Summer Crawford)
A fan, sitting in the doorway of the Tim and Sarah Ford Fieldhouse, converses with a nearby man during Western’s game against Liberty University on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Nick Denes Field. (Cayden Duncan)
Liberty University infielder Tanner Marsh (1) is first up to bat during WKU’s game against the Liberty Flames at Nick Denes Field on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Hilltoppers lost 3-8. (Summer Crawford)
Liberty University infielder Tanner Marsh (1) is first up to bat during WKU’s game against the Liberty Flames at Nick Denes Field on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Hilltoppers lost 3-8. (Summer Crawford)
Young fans attempt to peer into Western Kentucky University’s dugout during WKU’s 5-6 loss against Liberty University at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Von Smith)
Liberty University infielder Ethan Barnes (7) warms up in between innings during WKU’s game against the Liberty Flames at Nick Denes Field on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Hilltoppers lost 3-8. (Summer Crawford)
Liberty right hand pitcher Ben Blair (16) pitches during Western’s game against Liberty University on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Nick Denes Field. During the game, Blair allowed one run on six hits over seven innings, striking out eight batters and walking one. Additionally, he was named to the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch list on Thursday and to the Baseball America Pitcher of the Year Watch list on Wednesday. (Cayden Duncan)
Western baseball merchandise was sold at a table behind Western’s dugout during Western’s game against Liberty University on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Nick Denes Field. (Cayden Duncan)
Liberty University pitcher Tyler August (27) throws a pitch during WKU’s game against the Liberty Flames at Nick Denes Field on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Hilltoppers lost 3-8, which now left them with a 16-14 record going into the weekend games. (Summer Crawford)
Western Kentucky University’s Parker Coley (5) bunts the ball out of bounds during WKU’s 5-6 loss against Liberty University at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Von Smith)
Liberty infielder Tanner Marsh (1) springs to first during Western’s game against Liberty University on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Nick Denes Field. Marsh went 2-for-4 with two RBI’s, one run scored, and a walk. (Cayden Duncan)
Liberty University’s dugout celebrates after loading the bases during WKU’s 5-6 loss against Liberty University at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026. WKU held Liberty scoreless for eight innings but was unable to overcome the Flames five-run grand slam during the ninth. (Von Smith)
Western catcher and designated hitter Camden Ross (8) warms up prior to stepping to the plate during Western’s game against Liberty University on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Nick Denes Field. Ross went 2-for-4 with an RBI. (Cayden Duncan)
Western Kentucky University outfielder Daniel Stewart (33) gets out after attempting to run to first base during WKU’s game against the Liberty Flames at Nick Denes Field on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Hilltoppers lost 3-8, which now left them with a 16-14 record going into the weekend games. (Summer Crawford)
Deacon Hulsey, 12, (left) and Teddy Ingram, 11, (right) race during an event that required them to retrieve and place a number of boxes back at the starting line during Western’s game against Liberty University on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Nick Denes Field, with Hulsey ended up coming out on top. (Cayden Duncan)
Deacon Hulsey, 12, (left) and Teddy Ingram, 11, (right) race during an event that required them to retrieve and place a number of boxes back at the starting line during Western’s game against Liberty University on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Nick Denes Field, with Hulsey ended up coming out on top. (Cayden Duncan)
Western Kentucky University infielder Manny Alberto (22) slides into second base during WKU’s game against the Liberty Flames at Nick Denes Field on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Hilltoppers lost 3-8, which now left them with a 16-14 record going into the weekend games. (Summer Crawford)
Liberty infielder Tanner Marsh (1) and Western outfielder Parker Coley (5) laugh together after Coley made it to second during Western’s game against Liberty University on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Nick Denes Field. Marsh went 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run scored, and a walk. (Cayden Duncan)
Western Kentucky University head coach Marc Rardin walks off the field after dropping a four-run lead to Liberty University in the ninth inning during WKU’s 5-6 loss against Liberty University at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Von Smith)
Liberty players line up on the mound to congratulate each other on their 6-2 win against Western after the end of Western’s game against Liberty University on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Nick Denes Field. (Cayden Duncan)
More to Discover
More in Multimedia / Photos
The storms early Friday morning caused a large tree to break in half on the corner of University Drive and Normal Street on May 22, 2026. No other damage was sustained, according to Eldon Basham, the crew leader managing the team that was removing the fallen tree.
Storm damage causes fallen tree
The newly graduated class of May 2026 waves their red towels for a final time at the College of Education & Behavioral Sciences Recognition Ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2026 in E.A. Diddle Arena.
VISUALS: Caps, Gowns and CEBS Graduates
Science and Public Health graduate Ismahan Ibrahim elects not to throw her cap in the air after Spring Commencement in L.T. Smith Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
VISUALS: Graduates cap off the semester with Spring Commencement
More in Sports Photos
Kennesaw State Owls Catcher/First Base Savannah Frachiseur (10) attemps to out Western Kentucky Hilltoppers infeild Anna Mauck (23) as she runs into first base and is called safe during WKU’s game against the Kennesaw State Owls at the WKU Softball Complex on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
VISUALS: WKU Softball sets program run record against Kennesaw State
UTEP’s Pitcher Hannah Jones (10) pitches the ball in a game against WKU on Sunday, April 19, 2026. WKU won this game in 8-3 lead.
VISUALS: WKU Softball defeats UTEP Miners
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers celebrate a point by outside hitter Faith Young (22) against Murray State University during the spring match on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at E.A. Diddle Arena. The Hilltoppers defeated the Racers 3-0 in the exhibition match.
VISUALS: Hilltoppers return to Diddle for spring invite
About the Contributors
Summer Crawford
Summer Crawford, Sports Visuals Editor
Summer Crawford is a sophomore Photojournalism major originally from Floyd Knobs, Indiana. This is her second semester working for the Herald photo staff.
Cayden Duncan
Cayden Duncan, Staff Photographer
Cayden Duncan is a sophomore majoring in Visual Journalism and Photography from Louisville, Kentucky. This is his first semester working for the Herald photo staff.
Von Smith
Von Smith, Visuals Editor
Von Smith is a photojournalist from the south end of Louisville currently working as the Visuals Editor at the WKU Herald. Von began working as a staff photographer his freshman year and intends on remaining there through graduation.