BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Baseball was defeated by FIU 7-3 on Sunday afternoon at Nick Denes Field. The Hilltoppers fall to 16-8 (1-2 CUSA) while the Panthers improve to 13-11 (4-2 CUSA).
It was an entirely different day at the plate for the WKU offense as they scored just three runs on 10 hits and left 18 runners on base, however, until the ninth inning, the Tops had just one run on eight hits. Six of nine at-bats saw runners reach scoring position and not cross the plate.
Freshman Drew Whalen earned the starting nod for WKU and didn't concede a run on two hits and two walks while striking out two. Whalen was relieved after the third inning by sophomore Lucas Litteral.
Juniors Cristian Garcia and Brady Browning were the only Hilltoppers to record multi-hit efforts, both having two hits and one RBI a piece.
The Hilltoppers struck first in the third on an RBI groundout from Browning, but the Panthers used a two-run homer to take the lead in the fifth inning.
An RBI single extended the lead for FIU in the eighth before a grand slam in the top of the ninth added four insurance runs to make it a six-run game.
An RBI double from Garcia plated two runs with help from a FIU error. That wouldn't be enough as the Panthers were able to secure the third out to make the final score 7-3.
In what was a tight game until the final inning, the WKU pitching staff saw some high-quality pitching out of the bullpen with junior Cal Higgins tossing 2.0 scoreless frames while totaling three strikeouts without allowing a hit. Senior Cory Bosecker sat down the final two batters for FIU to notch another clean appearance in relief for the southpaw.
UP NEXT
The Hilltoppers will hit the road on Tuesday for a midweek contest against in-state foe Murray State. First pitch from Johnny Reagan Field in Murray, Ky. is set for 3 p.m. CT.
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.
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