Tops Fall at #23 Vanderbilt in Extras

Tuesday, April 1

Nashville, Tenn.

6:00 PM CT

Western Kentucky University

25-4

Vanderbilt

21-8

WKU

Vanderbilt

Photo by: Steve Roberts/WKU Athletics

4/1/2025 10:05:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – WKU Baseball dropped a midweek contest 5-4 in the tenth inning against #23 Vanderbilt on Tuesday night at Hawkins Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• WKU got on the board in the first with an RBI double from Ethan Lizama that scored Carlos Vasquez.
• Vanderbilt scored three in the second inning to take a 3-1 lead.
• A Commodore solo homer extended the lead to 4-1 in the sixth.
• The Hilltoppers tied the game with a three-spot in the eighth. Ryan Wideman singled home a run before Lizama scored on a wild pitch. Following that, Kyle Hayes hit a sacrifice fly to score Wideman from third and even the game at 4-4.
• A walk-off single scored the game-winning run for Vanderbilt in the tenth inning.

NOTABLES
• WKU moves to 25-4 (4-2 CUSA) on the season and 33-68-1 all-time against Vanderbilt.
• Seven pitchers saw action in the contest with Lucas Hartman earning the starting nod. The right-hander tossed a scoreless inning and collected one strikeout in his first start of the season.
• Lucas Litteral, Taylor Penn, Zach Lyles, Cole Heath, Cal Higgins and Evan Jones saw action in the game following Hartman. Penn held the Commodores scoreless and hitless for 3.1 frames. He allowed just one walk in an impressive outing. Higgins retired all eight he faced in 2.2 frames with three strikeouts.
• The WKU offense scored four runs on eight hits and two walks with three RBI.
• Vasquez, Lizama and Wideman each had 2-for-5 outings.
• Lizama had a double, an RBI and a run scored.
• Wideman had an RBI, a run scored and a game-saving, walk-off home run robbery in the tenth inning.
• Vasquez scored twice on the night.
• Hayes had the only other RBI with a sacrifice fly.

UP NEXT
• WKU continues CUSA play as the Hilltoppers head to Dallas for a three-game road series at #17 Dallas Baptist. First pitch from Horner Ballpark on Friday, April 4 is set for 6 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.