March 31, 2014
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Fresh off a hard-fought series at No. 1 Louisiana-Lafayette, WKU Baseball returns to the confines of Nick Denes Field this week as it plays the first of five-straight home games against Austin Peay Tuesday night at 6 (CT).
The Hilltoppers (14-14, 4-5) are coming off a 1-3 week against two Top 10 programs in Louisville and Louisiana-Lafayette, which included a 14-3 when over the top-ranked Cajuns on Saturday. Despite dropping three of the four contests, WKU's RPI climbed 36 spots to No. 57 according to the Warren Nolan RPI. WKU has lost nine of its last 13 games after starting the season 10-5 and looks to get back on track with five home games this week.
After hosting the Governors (10-16) on Tuesday the Hilltoppers will welcome Lipscomb (18-11) to Nick Denes Field Wednesday. First pitch time is set for 4 p.m. to accommodate the Bisons early travel the next morning. WKU owns a 92-57-1 series advantage over Austin Peay and 38-35-1 edge on Lipscomb. The Hilltoppers have won six of their last eight against the Governors while the Bisons have taken the last four meetings in the series, including a 10-2 decision in Nashville on March 5.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Sam Higgs will get his second start of the year on Tuesday. Higgs has been one of WKU's most reliable weekend relievers and most recently went three strong innings against No. 1 Louisiana-Lafayette with only three hits allowed. For the season Higgs sports a record of 3-2 with a 6.98 ERA. Austin Peay is finishing up its Ohio Valley Conference series with Murray State Monday and has yet to determine a starting pitcher.
Freshman lefties will duel in Wednesday's matchup, with WKU sending Ryan Thurston (0-0, 9.00 ERA) to the mound to face Lipscomb's Jamie Young (0-1, 2.84 ERA). Thurston has made seven relief appearances in 2014 with his most significant action coming in three innings of work at Georgia on March 11. In that contest against the Bulldogs, Thurston struck out two batters and only allowed two hits.
Both of Tuesday's and Wednesday's games will feature $2 weekday specials, which includes $2 tickets and concessions specials by Centerplate and on the party decks. The weather forecast for both games reads 70-degree temperatures at first pitch. For tickets and more information on WKU Baseball, call 1-800-5 BIGRED or visit WKUSports.com.
