March 23, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University baseball team scored four runs in the first and got a 3-run home run from Tim Grogan (Fr., Villa Hills, Ky.) in the second en route to a 7-3 win over Louisiana-Lafayette. With the victory, the Hilltoppers improved to 12-7 and won the series versus the Ragin' Cajuns (7-20) in the opening Sun Belt Conference series for both teams.
In the opening inning, Matt Gunning (Jr., Victoria, B.C.) got things going with a one out single and moved to second as Grogan singled to left. After Antone Towns (So., Louisville, Ky.) walked loading the bases, Brent Miller (So., Muncie, Ind.) singled to center to drive in Gunning. Grogan scored as the throw by Jason Wilson was wild. Towns made it 3-0 when he scored from third on a balk. Miller scored on a double down the line in left by David Lower (Sr., Anderson, Ind.).
After Ryan Core homered for Louisiana in the second, Western broke open the game in the second. Following a leadoff walk to Rafael Vallejo (So., The Bronx, N.Y.), Matt Johnston (Jr., Clarkson, Ky.) hit into a fielder's choice. Gunning drew a walk from starter putting runners on first and second for Grogan. The freshman welcomed relief pitcher Austin Faught into the game by blasting a 3-run homer to right-center field. It was Grogan's, who was 3-for-4, fourth home run of the season.
With the run support, starter Kenny Hughes (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind.) (1-1) shut down the Ragin' Cajuns allowing just the one through eight winnings while striking out a career-high eight batters He scattered five hits before being pulled in the of the ninth after allowing single to Brad Saloom and walk to Rhett Buras with one out. Relief pitcher Adam Prida (Jr., Tampa, Fla.) replaced Hughes. After walking the first batter he saw. Prida got Phillip Hawke to ground out although Saloom scored. Pinch hitter Ray Dees singled in the game's final run before Prida struck out Jason Wilson to end the game.
Johnston had his 17-game hit streak snapped in the finale. The second baseman went 0-for-5.
Western hosts Louisville on Tuesday at 4 p.m. (CST) before embarking on a five-game road trip.
