Tops Beat EKU 14-8 for Best Start in CUSA History

Wednesday, March 19

Richmond, Ky.

5:00 PM CT

Western Kentucky University

20-1

Eastern Kentucky

3-18

Western Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky

Photo by: Jack Todd, WKU Athletics

3/19/2025 10:43:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

RICHMOND, Ky. – WKU Baseball defeated Eastern Kentucky 14-8 to complete the season sweep over the Colonels on Wednesday night at Turkey Hughes Field.

The Hilltoppers move to 20-1 – the best start in program history – and extend the win streak to 15 – the second-longest in program history – with the win. 20-1 also marks the best start in Conference USA history as WKU exceeds the 2008 UCF Golden Knights who started the season 19-1.

Ryan Wideman showed no signs of slowing down in a 5-for-5 performance with four runs, four stolen bases, three RBI, a three-run homer and a double. He becomes the third Hilltopper to record four stolen bases in one game and the 12th Hilltopper to have five hits in one game.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• A Ryan Wideman three-run homer got the scoring started in the top of the first to give WKU a 3-0 lead.
• The Hilltoppers added to their advantage in the second with a solo shot from Reid Howard.
• EKU got on the board in the fourth with a solo home run to cut the deficit to 4-1.
• Five runs scored for WKU in the fifth as Kyle Hayes got the rally started with an RBI single. Howard and Drew Barragan followed that up with RBI singles of their own before Henry Brown drove in a pair with a two-RBI double.
• Three runs scored for the Colonels in the bottom of the fifth on a two-RBI single and an RBI ground-rule double.
• Howard tallied his fourth hit and third RBI of the night with an RBI single to extend the lead to 10-4.
• An RBI single from Dalton Fiveash tacked on another in the seventh.
• Hayes tripled to score two in the ninth before cashing in later in the inning on a wild pitch.
• The Colonels cut their deficit to 14-8 with four runs in the final frame, but it would not be enough as WKU held on for the win.

NOTABLES
• WKU moves to 20-1 through the first 21 games of the season – the best start in program history and CUSA history.
• The Hilltoppers' winning streak grows to 15 – the second-longest winning streak in program history. The 2025 Hilltoppers only trail the 1980 team that won 19 games in a row.
• WKU sweeps the season series and improves to 79-64-2 all-time against EKU with the win.
• Taylor Penn made his first collegiate start on the mound. The freshman tossed 3.0 shutout innings before being pulled in the fourth after allowing a solo homer. He gave up three hits and two walks while fanning three Colonels.
• Dominic Monaco, Elliott Rossell, Patrick Morris, Hunter Small and Zach Lyles saw action out of the bullpen for WKU. Monaco registered three strikeouts in 2.1 frames while walking four and surrendering two runs. Morris was credited with the win after holding EKU scoreless for 2.2 innings and collecting a trio of punchouts. Lyles closed things down, securing the last two outs of the contest while claiming one strikeout.
• The WKU offense scored 14 runs on 16 hits and six walks with 13 RBI.
• Wideman was a perfect 5-for-5 at the dish with a three-run homer, a double, three RBI, four runs, four stolen bases and a walk. He becomes the third Hilltopper to record four stolen bases in one game and the 12th Hilltopper to have five hits in one game.
• Howard had a four-hit outing with a home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored.
• Hayes and Brown had two hits each with Hayes driving in three runs and Brown driving in two. Hayes added a triple, three runs and a hit-by-pitch.

UP NEXT
• WKU will continue the road swing as they head to Kennesaw, Ga. to begin Conference USA play against Kennesaw State. First pitch from S. Walter Kelly Sr. Memorial Field on Friday, March 21 is set for 5 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 X and @WKUBaseball on Instagram.