WKU Baseball Set to Begin Four-Game Series with Purdue Fort Wayne

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Baseball will host the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons for its first four-game series of the 2024 campaign beginning at 3 p.m. CT on Friday, Feb. 23 at Nick Denes Field.

SCHEDULE
• Friday's series opener will begin at 3 p.m. CT.
• Saturday will feature a doubleheader between the squads beginning at 1 p.m. CT and game two starting approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of game one.
• The series finale will take place on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. CT.

LAST TIME OUT
• WKU earned a win in its first midweek game of the season against Lipscomb in Nashville, Tenn.
• The Hilltoppers looked to gain some experience for their pitching staff, utilizing 12 different arms in the victory. Tied 5-5 in the top of the ninth, junior Blake Cavill delivered a two-out, RBI double to score the go-ahead run and give the Tops the lead.
• Senior Mason Burns and the WKU defense recorded all three outs in the bottom of the frame to secure the team's third win in a row.

TRIPLE-DOUBLE
• Junior Blake Cavill did something on Tuesday night that has only been done nine other times in WKU Baseball history since 2005.
• The Australia native notched three doubles in one game, including a two-bagger in the ninth inning to score the go-ahead run and eventually win the game for the Hilltoppers.
• Former player Drew Reckart was the last Hilltopper to accomplish this feat, tallying three doubles against South Dakota State on March 10, 2023.

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.

SERIES HISTORY
• WKU and Purdue Fort Wayne have met three times in program history with the Hilltoppers owning a 2-1 all-time series edge.
• The teams last met in April of 2006 that saw WKU drop the series opener but win the final two games to claim the series win over the Mastodons in Bowling Green.

SCOUTING THE HILLTOPPERS
• WKU is 3-1 after a midweek win at Lipscomb this past Tuesday.
• The Hilltoppers have seven players hitting over .300 and one hitting over .400, led by junor Blake Cavill (.462) with sophomore Dylan O'Connell (.375) and junior Eli Burwash (.375) not far behind.
• On the mound, WKU holds a 3.18 team ERA with 41 strikeouts in 34.0 innings.

SCOUTING THE BISONS
• Purdue Fort Wayne is 0-3 after getting swept by Murray State this past weekend.
• The Mastodons have one player hitting over .200, junior Camden Karczewski (.286).
• The Purdue Fort Wayne pitching staff has produced a 10.13 team ERA and has recorded 12 strikeouts in 24.0 frames.

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.

WKU Baseball Set to Begin Four-Game Series with Purdue Fort Wayne

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Players Mentioned

Mason Burns

Eli Burwash

Blake Cavill

Lane Diuguid

Dawson Hall

Cole Heath

Dylan O'Connell

Drew Reckart