Lefty Troy Newell put forth his best start in a WKU uniform, with career highs of 7.1 innings pitched and nine strikeouts, compared to only one walk. But he was set to receive the tough-luck decision after allowing four runs — two earned — and nine hits, including a pair of FIU homeruns.
The first long ball was by center fielder Juan Teixeira in the third that was ruled to have flied inside the left-field foul pole to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
The Hilltoppers took their first lead of the weekend with two runs in the next half inning. With the bases loaded, catcher Matt Phipps chopped an infield single up the middle, then third baseman Sam McElreath avoided an attempted tag by the first baseman with two outs and was safe as another WKU run crossed home plate.
Newell allowed one run — which was unearned — in the fifth when his own throwing error moved FIU second baseman Derek Cartaya from first to third before an RBI single by shortstop John Rodriguez that knotted the score at 2-2.
Still in the game in the eighth, Newell allowed two runs — one unearned after a fielding error to start the frame — on a homerun by FIU catcher Javier Valdes with one out. Righty Bailey Sutton came in for the final two outs of the inning as things began to look bleak for the Hilltoppers, who suddenly trailed 4-2.
But base hits to start the ninth inning by pinch hitter Richard Constantine and left fielder Ray Zuberer III chased reliever Jose Varela, then first baseman Davis Sims greeted lefty Will Saxton with an RBI single and an errant throw to the plate moved two WKU runners into scoring position.
Saxton would not allow another hit in the frame, but a pair of wild pitches scored both Zuberer and Sims — with a hit by pitch of designated hitter Dillon Nelson in-between — as the Hilltoppers jumped ahead by a score of 5-4.
For WKU, Sutton got the first out in the ninth before hitting a batter and turning the ball over to righty Joe Filosa. The graduate senior recorded back-to-back strikeouts of FIU batters, earning his third save of the season, including his second in C-USA action.
Topper Notes
- Phipps recorded his first-career four-hit game, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the dish with four singles and one run batted in. He raised his batting average from .265 to .306 in the process. It was the third four-hit game of the season for the Hilltoppers, with Sims and Jake Sanford tallying the others.
- Newell's performance was the longest by a WKU pitcher since lefty Ryan Thurston went eight innings vs. Louisiana Tech in a 6-1 victory on April 27, 2018. Newell's nine strikeouts also matched Thurston's nine that same game against the Bulldogs.
- Constantine's single to lead off the ninth inning pushed him to a 5-for-9 mark as a pinch hitter this season. Along with a walk and hit by pitch, the junior from Huntsville, Ala., has reached base in 7-of-11 pinch-hit opportunities so far in 2019.
- WKU pitchers struck out 11, improving to 4-1 when reaching double-digit punchouts.
- The Hilltoppers walked only one, improving to 2-0 when walking fewer than three batters.
- The Hilltoppers improved to 6-2 in one-run games and 7-2 when out-hitting their opponent.
- WKU is now 3-1 when the starting pitcher goes five-plus innings and 5-3 when wearing black jerseys.
- The Hilltoppers won their first away or neutral-site game of the season in seven tries.
- WKU completed its fifth come-from-behind win of the season; all five have been one-run victories.
Topper Quotes
- "These guys, they didn't quit, they just kept competing and found a way to win today. When you can come from behind against a team like that with those arms they have, what a boost of confidence to our team. Really big win for us on the road — FIU has had our number — and not only winning the one game tonight, but coming back tomorrow and winning 2-of-3 on the road would be a really big statement for us in Conference USA." — Head coach John Pawlowski.
- "Troy Newell went out there and threw all three pitches for strikes. I'm really proud of what he did and how he went about his business, that was an outstanding outing for him ... Bailey Sutton did a great job to get us out of the eighth, but with two really tough [hitters] coming up we made the decision to bring our closer in there. Certainly, Joe Filosa just attacked and got two punch outs, really proud of what he did there." — Head coach John Pawlowski.
Up Next
WKU and FIU will play a rubber match for Game 3 on Sunday with first pitch at 11 a.m. CT. Starting pitchers for both teams are TBA at this time.
