WKU took the opener 5-0 — recording its first shutout since a 1-0 win over Ole Miss in the 2004 NCAA Regionals — then came back with a 13-1 victory in the nightcap to complete the sweep.
“One run in 18 innings is hard to complain about,” said Hilltopper head coach Chris Finwood. “Bart really got it started for us as he was able to pitch out of a couple jams early, and Matt threw the ball really well again for us today. As a whole, I thought our guys pitched great today.”
In all, six Hilltopper pitchers combined to allow just one unearned run over the 18 innings on Sunday as WKU ran their winning streak to four games and improved to 5-1 on the season.
The Toppers got three RBI from Casey Hamilton in game one, as he and Terrence Dayleg each hit solo home runs to lead the offense. The story of the opener was the pitching, however, as Carter (2-0) blanked the Musketeers over 6.0 innings in his first career start. The rookie scattered five hits along the way, while striking out seven and allowing just one walk. Reliever Steve Hupper was nearly perfect as he held Xavier hitless over the final three innings, allowing one walk and striking out four to earn the save.
Xavier (0-6) got their only run of the day in the first inning of game two. After Jordan Wolf led off the game with a single, he moved to second on an errant pick-off throw from Ridings. Back-to-back groundouts allowed Wolf to score to give XU a 1-0 lead. A 25-minute rain delay in the top of the second didn't seem to bother the Hilltoppers, as they came back after the stoppage in play to post four runs in the bottom of the second. After loading the bases with one out, Jack Ambrose and Matt Peyton delivered back-to-back two-RBI doubles to put WKU in front 4-1.
Ambrose was the hitting star of game two, as he went on to finish 3-for-4 with a run scored and six RBI in his first start of the season. That is the most runs driven in by a Hilltopper in a game since Antone Towns drove home seven at Wofford back on March 12 of 2005. WKU would go on to score in six straight innings to open up a 12-run lead — more than enough support for the pitching staff.
Ridings (2-0) matched the start by Carter as he allowed just four hits and an unearned run over 6.0 innings, also striking out seven and walking just one. The trio of Ben Paxton, Garrie Krueger and Chad Adcock each worked an inning of relief, allowing just two Musketeer hits the rest of the way.
WKU pounded out a season-high 16 hits in the finale, with Wade Gaynor joining Ambrose in a three-hit effort. J.B. Paxson and Troy Frazier each collected a pair of hits.
The Hilltoppers will look to continue their winning streak next weekend (March 2-4), when they host Purdue in a three-game series at Nick Denes Field.
