BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Baseball took both contests in its seven-inning doubleheader against Marshall behind complete-game performances from Jake Kates and Sean Bergeron on Friday afternoon at Nick Denes Field.
The Hilltoppers earned a 1-0 victory in game one following a two-out walk-off solo shot by Jackson Gray, before recording a 5-1 win in game two.
The duo of Kates and Bergeron combined to allow just one run and one walk while striking out 12 batters in 14.0 frames of work on the day.
"They just don't give in," said head coach John Pawlowski of Kates and Bergeron. "They both have the mindset that if they're going to get beat, they are going to get beat in the strike zone. They are competitive. It was just an outstanding job from both of those guys today."
Kates earned the starting nod in game one, tossing the team's first shutout of the season while allowing just five hits and one walk to go along with eight strikeouts in 7.0 frames.
The Hilltoppers tallied just two hits in the contest, but all they needed was Gray's walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh.
Bergeron recorded the start in game two, throwing his second complete game of the year while surrendering just five hits and one run to go along with four strikeouts and no walks.
Offensively, the Hilltoppers racked up six hits and six walks in the matchup, with Matthew Meyer leading the way while going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run.
SCORING SUMMARY (GAME 1)
Both teams were scoreless through the first six innings of action before Gray ripped a solo shot over the right field wall in the bottom of the seventh to give WKU the 1-0 walk-off win.
SCORING SUMMARY (GAME 2)
Marshall jumped out to an early lead, using a sac fly to earn a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first.
The Hilltoppers answered back in the bottom of the inning, with Gray using a sac fly of his own to tie things up in the first frame.
WKU would then take the lead in the third, with Justin Carlin sending an RBI-single up the middle to score Meyer.
The Hilltoppers extended their lead in the fourth frame, with an RBI-single by Meyer making it 3-1.
WKU added two more insurance runs in the sixth via RBI by Ricardo Leonett and Meyer, leading to the eventual 5-1 victory.
UP NEXT
The Hilltoppers will continue their series with The Herd at 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 10 at Nick Denes Field.
TICKETS AVAILABLE
Capacity at WKU Baseball home games has increased to 50 percent. A limited number of tickets will now be sold at the gate beginning an hour prior to each contest. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first served basis. Tickets can be purchased for $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Fans are required to wear masks and practice social distancing during the game.
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