SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Head Coach John Pawlowski earned his 600th career win as WKU Baseball recorded a 17-9 victory to take the series against USC Upstate Sunday afternoon at Harley Park.
"I've been very fortunate throughout my coaching career," said Pawlowski on his milestone. "I've had so many great players and great coaches and support staff around me. I'm just thankful that I have the opportunity to coach this great game, and obviously the opportunity to be a part of WKU. So, a special day, no doubt."
Following a series-opening loss to the Spartans, the Hilltoppers took the final two games to earn the series victory and improve to 8-3 on the season while dropping USC Upstate to 8-3 on the year.
WKU battled back from multiple deficits throughout the game before eventually pulling away in the final few frames to earn the 17-9 comeback victory.
"We knew after Friday night's game it was going to be one of those challenging series," said Pawlowski. "Today, both teams had their opportunities to win. We were up, they were up, it was back-and-forth. Then we finally had an opportunity to extend that lead and we certainly took advantage of that there late in the game."
Aristotle Peter earned the starting nod for the Hilltoppers in his third appearance of the season, allowing five runs over the course of 3.0 innings.
Collin Lollar entered in the fourth frame to relieve Peter, surrendering one hit and two runs while striking out one batter in 2.0 innings of action.
Jake Kates then took the mound in the sixth inning, recording his second win of the season after fanning seven batters while allowing just three hits and two runs (both unearned) in 4.0 frames of work.
Offensively, the Hilltoppers produced season-highs in runs (17), hits (16) and walks (12), with five players recording multi-hit efforts.
Matt Phipps went 3-for-5 in the contest to go along with three runs, while Richard Constantine hit 3-for-6 with four RBI and Kevin Lambert batted 3-for-5 while scoring twice. Ray Zuberer III produced a 2-for-3 performance to go along with three walks and two RBI, while Davis Sims rounded out the multi-hit group with a 2-for-6 effort at the plate.
Jackson Swiney also recorded his first career grand slam in the matchup, blasting a ball over the right field wall in the sixth inning to help WKU battle back into the game.
"We just didn't stop fighting," said Swiney. "Obviously, we're always going to have each other's backs. Whether it's with hitting or our pitching, we're a team and we're together."
SCORING SUMMARY
USC Upstate got on the board first, jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first frame.
WKU cut the Spartans' lead in half during the third inning, with Sims blasting a solo shot over the left center field wall.
USC Upstate answered back in the bottom of the third, using an RBI-double and two-RBI single to take a 5-1 advantage.
The Hilltoppers responded in the top of the fourth, with a two-RBI single from Constantine sending home Phipps and Eric Riffe to make it 5-3.
Swiney's grand slam to right field in the sixth inning gave WKU its first lead of the contest, giving the Hilltoppers a 7-5 advantage.
The Spartans immediately answered back, scoring four runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth to regain their lead and make it 9-7.
WKU responded yet again in the next inning, with RBI-singles from Constantine and Zuberer evening the game at 9-9.
The Hilltoppers jumped ahead in the top of the eighth, scoring five runs to take a 14-9 lead.
Riffe got things started, reaching first after an error by the third baseman, with Swiney scoring on the play. Wilson then doubled to left center to score Phipps and Lambert. A sac fly by Constantine later plated Riffe before an RBI-single by Zuberer sent home Wilson to cap off the five-run frame.
The Hilltoppers added three more runs in the ninth, with Riffe, Matthew Meyer and Wilson each recording one RBI apiece to give WKU the eventual 17-9 win.
UP NEXT
The Hilltoppers will return home to host Belmont at 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, March 3 at Nick Denes Field.
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