Zuberer's Career Day at the Plate Leads WKU to Series-Opening Win over Marshall

Friday, April 30

Huntington, WV

2:00 PM CT

Western Kentucky University

20-21, 10-11

Marshall

8-25, 4-17

WKU

Marshall

Photo by: Steve Roberts, WKU Athletics

Zuberer's Career Day at the Plate Leads WKU to Series-Opening Win over Marshall

4/30/2021 7:57:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score Season Stats

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Ray Zuberer III racked up single-game career highs with two doubles and two home runs to help lead WKU Baseball to a 10-6 win over Marshall in its series opener on Friday afternoon at the Kennedy Center.

The Hilltoppers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead through two innings of action before The Herd eventually fought back to take a 5-4 advantage in the sixth inning, but the WKU bats came back to life from there, leading to the 10-6 victory.

"In this park no lead is ever safe," said head coach John Pawlowski. "It doesn't matter whether you're up or down. It seemed like the wind changed directions every inning – fly balls can become home runs – you just never know. Give our team credit, give our offense credit. Ray [Zuberer III] – what a tremendous day – and Kevin [Lambert] with some doubles and a great safety squeeze. I just thought we competed very well at the plate again today."

Jake Kates earned the starting nod on the mound, allowing six hits and five runs while striking out six in 5.2 innings of action. Ryan O'Connell entered in the sixth inning to relieve Kates, picking up the win while allowing just one run and striking out a pair in 2.1 frames. Bailey Sutton then entered in the ninth to close things out, tossing a hitless final frame.

At the plate, the Hilltoppers racked up 12 hits and six walks, with three players producing multi-hit performances. Zuberer led the way, tying a career-high with four hits while setting career highs with two doubles and two home runs. Kevin Lambert added a 3-for-4 outing, setting a career-high with three doubles while tallying four RBI, with Matthew Meyer also contributing a 2-for-3 performance while tying a career-high with three runs.

SCORING SUMMARY

WKU opened the scoring in the first frame, with Zuberer starting things off after stealing third base then scoring on a throwing error by the catcher. Lambert then dropped a two-RBI double into shallow center field to give the Hilltoppers a 3-0 lead through one.

The Hilltoppers tacked on another run in the second, with Justin Carlin sending an RBI-single through the left side to plate Ty Crittenberger.

Marshall scored its first run of the game in the bottom of the third, using a solo shot to make it 4-1.

The Herd added another run in the fourth frame, with an RBI-double down the left field line putting the score at 4-2.

Marshall then scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take its first lead of the game, using a two-RBI double and RBI-single to jump ahead 5-4.

WKU answered back in the top of the seventh, with a solo shot by Zuberer evening the game before RBI-doubles by Meyer and Lambert gave the Hilltoppers a 7-5 lead.

Zuberer then crushed another solo shot over the right field wall in the eighth inning to extend the Hilltoppers' lead.

The Herd tacked on one run in the bottom of the eighth, using an RBI-single to make it 8-6.

The Hilltoppers added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth, with a squeeze bunt by Lambert and sac fly by Matt Phipps giving the squad a 10-6 lead and the eventual win.

UP NEXT
The Hilltoppers will continue their series against Marshall with a seven-inning doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, May 1 at the Kennedy Center.