BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Baseball is set to open the 2024 season with a three-game series against Bradley beginning at 11:30 a.m. CT on Friday, Feb. 16 at Nick Denes Field.
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THE SCHEDULE
• The Hilltoppers will open their series on Friday, Feb. 16 with a 11:30 a.m. CT matchup against Bradley.
• WKU will continue its series with the Braves at 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, Feb 17.
• The Hilltoppers will close out their series against Bradley on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. CT.
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PITCHING PROWESS
• Four WKU arms have garnered conference and media recognition prior to the 2024 season - Mason Burns, Lane Diuguid, Dawson Hall, and Cole Heath.
• Burns, Diuguid, and Hall were selected to the Conference USA Preseason All-Conference Team, while Burns and Heath were named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List. An award given annually to the top relief pitcher in Division I Baseball.
• Burns' third preseason honor came from Perfect Game USA's "Top 75 College Seniors" list with the right-hander coming in at No. 48.
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SERIES HISTORY
• WKU and Bradley have met just seven times in program history with the Hilltoppers owning a 4-3 all-time series edge.
• The teams last met on March 2, 2002, that saw the Hilltoppers sweep a doubleheader 4-3 and 12-3 in Bowling Green.
• Prior to the sides most recent matchups, the Hilltoppers and Braves split a four-game series in 1991 played in Bowling Green.
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SCOUTING THE HILLTOPPERS
• Following a historical season in 2023, head coach Marc Rardin enters his second year on The Hill after leading the Hilltoppers to a 33-26 (16-14 CUSA) mark and a trip to the Conference USA Semifinals in 2023.
• Only eight players return to the squad for the 2024 season, seven pitchers and one hitter.
• Weekend starters, senior Lane Diuguid and sophomore Dawson Hall, will return to the mound for the Tops this season. Hall was named to the All-Conference USA Second Team and the CUSA All-Freshman Team in just his first year on The Hill while also leading the team in wins with seven. The team leader in ERA and strikeouts, senior Mason Burns will also suit back up for the Tops as the go-to guy out of the bullpen.
• 26 transfers and six freshmen will join the team for 32 total newcomers in 2024.
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SCOUTING THE BRAVES
• Bradley compiled a 16-32 overall record in 2023, including a 7-20 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play.
• Bradley had three prospects in the top 20 of the MVC prospects of the 2024 MLB Draft - Jacob Kisting, Noah Edders, and Ryan Vogel.
• As a team, Bradley notched a .263 batting average offensively while scoring 5.3 runs per game.
• On the rubber, the Braves recorded a 6.50 ERA while striking out 365 batters in 408.1 innings of work.
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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.
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