April 8, 2003
Clarksville, Tenn. - The Western Kentucky baseball team visited Austin Peay on Tuesday and cruised to a 9-2 win at Raymond Hand Park. The Hilltoppers improved to 17-11 with the win. The Governors are now 12-16-1.
Western scored three runs in the third inning. Rafael Vallejo (The Bronx, N.Y.) reached on a one-out single and moved to second on a wild pitch by Devin Thomas, who fell to 3-3. After senior Trevor Keesling (Hagerstown, Ind.) drew a two-out walk, Brandon Gupton (Fr., Campbellsville, Ky.) drove in Vallejo with a single to right for his first career RBI. Keesling made it 2-0 when he scored on a passed ball. Matt Robinson (Fr., Louisville, Ky.) brought in Keesling with base hit to left for a 3-0 advantage.
The Governors got a run in back in the bottom of the fourth. After reaching with a one-out single, Chris Hyde moved to second when Brett Luther walked and to third Jacob Schroeder reached on a fielder's choice. Hyde scored on the first of two balks in the inning by WKU starter Grady Hinchman (So., Anderson, Ind.).
The Hilltoppers responded by breaking open the game with four runs in the fifth. Keesling got things going with a one out single. He moved to second when Robinson reached on an infield error. A double by John Kitley (Fr., Indianapolis, Ind.) tallied Keesling. Dennis Winn (Fr., Bowling Green, Ky.) loaded the bases with a walk. Michael Wilhite (Fr., Bowling Green, Ky.) hit a bases clearing double off reliever Brad Daniel.
WKU added its final two runs in the ninth inning. With two outs, Winn hit an infield single scoring Robinson. Winn made it 9-2 when he scored on a single to right by Phillip Thayer (Fr., Portland, Tenn.).
Hinchman tossed four innings scattering five hits and striking out five batters. The sophomore got the win to improve to 4-0 on the season. A foursome of pitchers - Andy Baldwin (Jr., Campbellsville, Ky.), Kenny Hughes (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind.), Joe Shortt (Jr., South Hempstead, N.Y.) and Matt Wilhite (Sr., Franklin, Ky.) - closed out the game for Western. Baldwin tossed two perfect innings, while Hughes gave up a run on three hits in one inning of work. Shortt hit a batter but did not give up a run. Wilhite struck out the side in the ninth inning to end the game.
The Toppers pounded out 12 hits in the game. Robinson led the way going 3-for- 5 and reached on errors on his two other at bats. Keesling, and Kitley each had a pair of hits. Vallejo's third-inning hit extended his hitting streak to seven games.
The two teams will meet again tomorrow with Western hosting the Govs at Nick Denes Field in a 6 p.m. contest.
