BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Baseball defeated South Dakota State on Friday afternoon recording, a season-high, 16 hits to beat the Jackrabbits, 11-6, at Nick Denes Field.
The 16 hits are the most by a Hilltopper team since March 14, 2021, when WKU beat Bowling Green by a score of 17-16 in a game where they recorded 20 total hits. With the win, the Hilltoppers move to 11-4 on the year and reach 11 wins through 15 games for the first time since 2010 when WKU started the year winning 13 of its first 17 games.
"I really liked our approach tonight. A lot of line drives, backside base hits, and doubles," said head coach Marc Rardin. "I know the wind was blowing out, but we only had two home runs and they had four home runs. The big thing is, they were all solos, but one. We only had one walk from our pitching staff, so when you are only giving up one walk and no errors you are going to give yourself a chance. We knocked 16 hits, took our walks, hit by pitches, and had a good amount of two out hits as well, which will help you win a lot of games."
RHP Mason Burns made his fourth start on the bump, recording six strikeouts in 5.0 frames, while surrendering three runs on six hits without allowing a walk, ultimately earning his second win on the season, improving to 2-0. Burns was relieved by RHP Beau Coffman in the sixth, who claimed his second save on the year. The junior struck out five batters in 4.0 frames, while allowing three runs on five hits and just one walk.
At the plate, WKU racked up, a season-high, 16 hits, with four Hilltoppers recording multi-hit efforts. Ty Crittenberger was a triple shy of the cycle, leading the way in a 4-for-6 effort with a home run, a double, three RBI, a stolen base, and a scoring one run of his own. Lukas Farris recorded his first collegiate home run in going 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs and a walk. Drew Reckart was 3-for-4 with three doubles, two runs, and a walk of his own, while Kirk Liebert contributed, with a 1-2 outing with two RBI off an RBI single and a sacrifice fly.
SCORING SUMMARY
SDSU knocked the first pitch of the game out of the yard to take a 1-0 lead in the first.
In the bottom half of the frame, Ty Crittenberger responded with a solo shot of his own to left to tie it at one, while Kirk Liebert put the Tops in front, 2-1, with an RBI single to left center.
The WKU offense added another in the second off a throwing error on a stolen base by Crittenberger to go up 3-1.
The Tops extended the lead in the third adding four runs starting with a sacrifice fly from Liebert to add another, and three straight RBI singles from Ricardo Leonett, Lukas Farris, and Crittenberger put the score at 7-1.
The Jackrabbits crossed two in the top of the fifth with another solo shot and an RBI double to make it a four-run game at 7-3.
An RBI double from Crittenberger gave him his fourth hit and third RBI of the day to make the score 8-3 in the bottom of the fifth.
In the sixth, a throwing error by SDSU allowed Drew Reckart to score from third and the first career home run from Lukas Farris gave the Tops an 11-3 lead.
Two home runs from the Jackrabbits in the seventh and eighth innings added three runs for SDSU, making the final score, 11-6.
UP NEXT
The Hilltoppers will continue their series against South Dakota State tomorrow, March 11, starting at 2 p.m. CT at Nick Denes Field.
How to follow WKU Baseball: For complete information on WKU Hilltopper Baseball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKU_Baseball on Twitter and @WKUBaseball Instagram.
Western Kentucky University Athletics
- Champions Climb Here
- WKU Athletics
- Athletic Director
- Academic Services
- Annual Report
- Athletic Communications
- Athletic Hall of Fame
- Athletic Training
- Big Red
- CLIMB Program - NIL
- Compliance
- Facilities
- Financial Reports
- For Students
- Student Employment
- Forms/Requests
- Book Big Red
- Donation Requests
- Site Feedback
- For Fans
- Hilltopper Highlights
- Gameday Promotions
- Alumni Tailgates
- Big Red's Rascals
- Basketball Gameday
- Football Gameday
- Mobile Tickets
- Travel Center
- Tickets
- Give
