Tops Secure 30-Win Season with 4-3 Defeat of MTSU

Saturday, April 27

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

3:00 PM CT

Western Kentucky University

30-14, 0

Middle Tennessee

14-28, 0

WKU

Middle Tennessee

Photo by: Middle Tennessee Athletics

4/27/2024 6:57:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – WKU Baseball defeated Middle Tennessee 4-3 on Saturday at Reese Smith Jr. Field. The Hilltoppers improve to 30-14 (12-5 CUSA) while the Blue Raiders drop to 14-28 (5-12 CUSA).

The win gives WKU back-to-back seasons with at least 30 wins for the first time since 2010-11.

An outstanding performance from junior Grant Burleson on the mound and a couple timely hits from sophomore Camden Ross led the Hilltoppers to the one-run win over MTSU to even the series.

"You couldn't give up three any earlier than we gave them up," said head coach Marc Rardin. "They [the home runs] were about identical. They were about four feet fair right down the right field line. They were late on good 93-94 fastballs from [Jacob] Bimbi, but not late enough and they catch it, hit some home runs, but he settled down. Of course, [Grant] Burleson came in and was just a difference maker for over three innings. Then [Mason Burns] came in and did what he does."

Ross led the Tops at the plated with two doubles and two RBI while scoring one run. Junior Ethan Lizama had the only three-hit outing with a triple while sophomore Dylan O'Connell went yard for the first time since returning from injury. Junior Blake Cavill also chipped in with an RBI in a 1-for-3 day.

After senior Jacob Bimbi surrendered a couple of home runs in the first, the southpaw settled in and held the Blue Raiders scoreless for the next three frames, allowing the WKU offense to get going.

Cavill's RBI single put the Tops on the board in the third inning to cut the MTSU lead to two. Two innings later, O'Connell hit a solo shot to left and make it a one-run game. Two batters later, Ross drove in the tying run with a double to left center.

With the score knotted at 3-3 in the fifth, two runners in scoring position, and only one out, Burleson relieved Bimbi and escaped the jam with a strikeout and a pop up to keep the score as it was. The right-hander was close to perfect out of the bullpen, striking out five in 3.2 frames of shutout baseball while only conceding one hit.

After three consecutive innings without a run from either team, Ross finally broke the tie in the top of the ninth inning with his second RBI double of the day and gave the Tops their first lead of the game.

Senior Mason Burns closed it out once again in the ninth, striking out the final batter to secure the win. This marks the closer's 13th save of the season, just one shy of the program single season record held by Ian Tompkins.

UP NEXT

The Hilltoppers and Blue Raiders will conclude their series tomorrow afternoon at Reese Smith Jr. Field. First pitch is set for 1 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.