WKU Baseball suffered a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday Night at Nick Denes Field. 

The Hilltoppers record moves to 26-23 and finish their non-conference schedule 15-9. 

“Kudos to them, man, I’m jealous. I mean, they show up and they freaking fight and they have no reason to where their season is right now,” said Head Coach Marc Rardin. 

Rardin used eight pitchers, with his goal going into the game having each pitcher get at least an inning of work. However, that game plan was cut short as junior right-hander Jacob O’Day gave up two singles and a double to open the eighth. The hits gave EKU the lead. The Colonels extended their lead against graduate right-hander Nathan Lawson, taking a 5-2 lead into the eighth inning. 

The Hilltoppers got off to a quick start in the first inning, with senior outfielder Cael Frost hitting an RBI and junior infielder Grayson Godbee stealing home on a double steal attempt. However, other than eight baserunners the WKU offense was silenced by the Colonel pitching staff. 

EKU also utilized a pitcher per inning game plan with their arms being more effective, with the Colonel bullpen pitching eight innings giving up five hits and three walks while striking out seven. 

The Hilltoppers fought for a comeback starting in the eighth with  junior infielder Lane Arroyos scoring off a missed catch in center field by EKU. 

However the Colonels did not back down in the ninth with two singles running out Lawson and causing usual Hilltopper game one starter graduate left-hander Aaron Robertson to come into the game. Robertson got out of the inning stranding the two runners. 

In their last opportunity the Hilltoppers stranded two runners as Arroyos grounded out to second base. Arroyos ended the night going 0-5. 

“The other team, who hasn’t been winning a lot, obviously via record, but they show up every time and just grind out,” said Rardin. 

WKU Baseball will return to action as they host Dallas Baptist for its final home Conference USA series.