LEXINGTON, Ky. — A five-error first inning led to four unearned runs for Kentucky, as WKU Baseball fell behind early and eventually lost by a score of 15-0.
Catcher Collin Hopkins picked up his first career hit in the eighth inning, while Dillon Nelson and Davis Sims also produced base hits for the Hilltoppers.
After WKU went down in order in the top of the first, the first two Wildcats reached on infield errors. A dropped foul ball extended three-hitter T.J. Collett's at-bat, and the designated hitter later hit a three-run homerun over the right field fence.
Starter Troy Newell recovered to post scoreless frames in the second and third, then also recorded two outs in the fourth. He left with two runners on base, who scored off reliever Jeff Ciocco to make it a 6-0 deficit.
Kentucky added three more in the sixth and another six in the seventh. Righty Kenny LaPierre closed the game with 1.2 scoreless frames, including three strikeouts in the eighth to push the team total to 10.
Up Next
The Hilltoppers begin Conference USA play, hosting a three-game series against UAB at Nick Denes Field. The Friday-to-Sunday series from March 15-17 will have first pitch times of 5 p.m., 1 p.m. and 1 p.m.
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