MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee scored a combined seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings Sunday afternoon to win its weekend series against the Western Kentucky University baseball team with a 9-1 victory at Reese Smith Field.
WKU (8-11, 1-2 Sun Belt Conference) took a 1-0 lead in top of the third before MTSU (12-8, 2-1) took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth and added five in the fifth to pull away for good.
Hilltoppers right fielder Ryan Hutchison and third baseman Casey Dykes each finished the game 2-for-3. First baseman Scott Wilcox drove in the lone WKU run.
The MTSU offense tallied nine runs on nine hits, led by first baseman Ethan Williams, who went 3-for-4 with seven RBIs on three home runs.
Hilltoppers starter Tim Bado (1-3) gave up seven runs - four earned - on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks in four innings. Junior right-hander Taylor Haydel allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts in four innings of relief. He did not issue a walk.
WKU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI groundout by Wilcox. Designated hitter Blake Crabtree scored on the play after walking with one out and advancing to third on a double by center fielder Jared Andreoli.
The Blue Raiders pull in front 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-run home run by Williams.
MTSU scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth to make the score 7-1. A three-run home run by Williams highlighted the inning. Three of the five runs were unearned due to three Hilltopper errors in the frame.
In the bottom of the seventh, Middle Tennessee extended its advantage to 9-1 on a two-run homer by Williams, his third of the game.
MTSU freshman Jonathan Sisco (4-0) limited the Hilltoppers to one run on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts in seven innings. Relievers Joey McClung and Paul Mittura each pitched a scoreless inning to close out the game.
The Hilltoppers return to action Tuesday against Belmont at Nick Denes Field before traveling to Clarksville, Tenn., on Wednesday for a game versus Austin Peay. First pitch for both games is scheduled for 6 p.m. WKU then hosts FIU for a three-game weekend series, March 23-25.
