Hilltoppers Close Out Fall Series with Cincinnati

Photo by: Katie Stratman, WKU Athletics

10/14/2019 6:25:00 PM | Baseball

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Baseball closed out its three-game fall series with Cincinnati Sunday, Oct. 13 at Nick Denes Field.

The Hilltoppers played three games against the Bearcats, competing in two five-inning matchups before closing out the day with a four-inning contest. The series conclusion marked an end to the team's competition against outside opponents in the fall season.

"Another positive step taken yesterday for the Tops after competing in our final fall scrimmage against Cincinnati," said head coach John Pawlowski. "It takes a lot of focus and concentration to stay locked in for a full 14 innings. This group did that and we played very well in many different areas.

"The defense had an outstanding day and gave us the chance to win every inning. On the mound, we had a point in the games where five different pitchers combined to throw eight scoreless innings. Offensively, the team competed and had several quality at-bats up and down the lineup while adding 12 walks."

In game one, WKU deployed four different pitchers on the rubber. Redshirt junior Bailey Sutton closed out the contest in efficient fashion, using just nine pitches in the final frame while whiffing two batters and not allowing a hit.

Offensively, senior Richard Constantine produced a 2-for-3 performance to go along with a double and two RBI, while sophomore Matt Meyer recorded a 1-for-1 effort at the plate while adding a walk and a run.

Game two saw three pitchers take the rubber, with redshirt junior Sean Bergeron, junior Logan Sabo and sophomore Hunter Crosby combining for the five-inning shutout. Bergeron started things off on the bump, striking out two while allowing just one hit in two innings of action. Crosby followed, tossing two innings of hitless ball while whiffing a pair. Sabo closed out the contest, using just nine pitches to finish out the final frame.

At the plate, the Toppers saw a trio of solid performances. Redshirt junior Jacob Jenkins led the squad with a 2-for-3 effort, adding an RBI and stolen base. Redshirt sophomore Jake Kates went 1-for-2 with a hit-by-pitch in the outing while sending home two runners and swiping a base. Junior Junior Coleman rounded things out with a 1-for-3 effort, collecting an RBI, run and steal.

In the series finale, six different pitches saw time on the mound. Sabo opened up game three on the rubber, striking out one batter while allowing just one hit. Redshirt sophomore Price Adams then entered, whiffing two while surrendering only one hit. Senior Jack Lambert and junior Ryan Luckett later closed things out, tossing two innings of hitless ball.

Junior Justin Carlin impressed offensively in game three, producing a 2-for-3 effort to go along with an RBI and run, while Coleman continued his strong day, going 1-for-2 with a walk while adding an RBI and run of his own.

"As we continue to move through our fall practices, the leadership of several of the older players has really started to emerge," said Pawlowski. "It's exciting for our staff to watch this develop and have a positive impact as we grow together."

With the official fall season in the books, the Hilltoppers will now prepare for an intersquad Fall World Series beginning 3 p.m. CT Thursday, Oct. 17 at Nick Denes Field.