HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Justin Carlin put his name in the Hilltopper record book as WKU Baseball swept its seven-inning doubleheader against Marshall on Saturday afternoon at the Kennedy Center.
After going 2-for-3 with three RBI to help the Hilltoppers open the day with a 6-1 win, Carlin racked up a career-high three home runs and eight RBI en route to a 15-5 victory in game two.
Carlin is just the second Hilltopper since at least 2005 [as far back as official game-by-game records go] to record at least three home runs and eight RBI in a game. The last player to accomplish the feat was Jake Sanford, who is Conference USA's only triple crown winner in league history, when he went 3-for-6 with three homers and eight RBI in a 12-9 win over Eastern Kentucky on March 26, 2019.
"What a tremendous day for Justin," said head coach John Pawlowski. "He got some balls up in the zone and really put some quality swings on them. It was good for our offense - really proud of our offense again today – and another challenge lies ahead tomorrow."
Sean Bergeron earned the starting nod for WKU in game one, tossing his fourth complete game of the season after allowing just four hits and one run while striking out eight batters in 7.0 frames.
At the plate, the Hilltoppers tallied eight hits and three walks, with three players producing multi-hit performances. Carlin, Ty Crittenberger and Jackson Gray each racked up two hits apiece in the contest, while Richard Constantine recorded a three-run homer in the win.
Devyn Terbrak started on the mound in game two, surrendering three earned runs while striking out a pair in 4.0 frames. Collin Lollar entered in the fifth to relieve Terbrak, picking up his first win of the season after tossing 2.0 innings of hitless ball while collecting three strikeouts. Bailey Sutton closed things out in the ninth, throwing a hitless final frame.
Offensively, the Hilltoppers racked up 10 hits and nine walks in the game. Carlin again led the way, going 4-for-5 while adding three home runs [solo – two-run – grand slam] and eight RBI, with Constantine recording his second home run of the day in the matchup.
"I don't think I've ever even hit two home runs in a single game so that was definitely a first for me," said Carlin of his game-two performance. "Having another chance to be up there in the last inning and hit a third one – it was a special day for me – I'll always remember that one."
UP NEXT
The Hilltoppers will close out their series against Marshall at 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, May 2 at the Kennedy Center.
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