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EXHIBITION INFO
- WKU Hilltoppers vs. Tennessee Volunteers
- Friday, October 25 | 6 p.m. CT | First Horizon Park - Home of the Nashville Sounds | Nashville, Tenn.
- Social: @WKU_Baseball | @WKUSports
ABOUT THE HILLTOPPERS
- WKU Baseball returns 22 players from the 2024 season including 12 pitchers and 10 hitters.
- The Hilltoppers welcomed 23 newcomers to the squad for the fall season that included 17 transfers and six freshmen. Of the 17 transfers, five come from Division I programs while the other 12 come from JUCO or Division II.
- WKU Baseball is coming off its most successful season in recent history that ended with a second-consecutive Conference USA Championships Semifinals appearance, something the program had not done as a member of the league prior to 2023.
- The Hilltoppers were picked to finish fifth in the CUSA Preseason Poll and ultimately finished with third-best record in the league standings at the conclusion of the 2024 season, their best finish since joining CUSA in 2015.
- WKU earned 36 wins, the ninth-most in program history and the most since the 2009 season.
- Since taking the helm in the 2023 season, head coach Marc Rardin has led the Tops to back-to-back 30-plus win seasons for the first time since 2010-11.
- WKU recorded six series wins over CUSA opponents, winning five consecutively against Jax State, No. 8 Dallas Baptist, Sam Houston, Liberty, and Middle Tennessee.Â
- The Hilltoppers ended the regular season with a series win over New Mexico State.
SCOUTING THE VOLUNTEERS
- Tennessee is coming off a record-setting season that ended with the program's seventh trip to the Men's College World Series and first national title.
- The Volunteers became the first SEC team to ever win 60 games in a season, finishing with an incredible 60-13 overall record.
- Tennessee also became just the fourth program in history to win the SEC regular season crown, the SEC Tournament title and the National Championship in the same year, cementing itself as one of the greatest college baseball teams ever.
- The Vols will be led by a handful of key returners while also welcoming in another talented group of newcomers to the program this fall.Â
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 on Instagram.
