#25 WKU Reaches 30 Wins for Third-Consecutive Season, Clinches Series over Liberty

Saturday, April 12

Lynchburg, Va.

3:00 PM CT

Western Kentucky University

30-5, 8-3

Liberty

22-13, 5-6

Western Kentucky

Liberty

Photo by: Jack Todd, WKU Athletics

#25 WKU Reaches 30 Wins for Third-Consecutive Season, Clinches Series over Liberty

4/12/2025 7:56:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

LYNCHBURG, Va. – #25 WKU Baseball defeated Liberty 4-2 to clinch the series win on Saturday afternoon at Worthington Field.

The Hilltoppers (30-5, 8-3 CUSA) and Flames (22-13, 5-6 CUSA) entered the eighth inning tied, 2-2. Ryan Wideman led off the inning with his second double of the day before back-to-back sacrifice bunts from Caleb Marmo and Camden Ross brought him around to score and give WKU the lead. The Tops clinched the win 4-2 after an insurance run was added in the top of the ninth.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Kyle Hayes scored on a Liberty balk to put the Hilltoppers on the board in the second inning.
• WKU plated another in the fourth with an RBI single from Austin Haller to extend the lead to 2-0.
• The Flames tied the game with a two-run double in the bottom of the frame.
• Ross put the Tops in front 3-2 with a sacrifice bunt in the top of the eighth.
• Haller drove in his second RBI of the day with a groundout to provide an insurance run.

NOTABLES
• WKU moves to 30-5 (8-3 CUSA) on the season and 5-0 all-time against Liberty.
• With the win, the Hilltoppers have now reached 30 or more wins in all three seasons under Marc Rardin.
• The last time WKU reached 30-plus wins in three consecutive seasons was 2009-11.
• Dawson Hall made his third straight weekend start on the mound. The Bowling Green, Ky. native totaled six strikeouts in 5.0 frames while allowing two runs on three hits and a walk.
• Zach Lyles, Treyson Peters and Cal Higgins made appearances out of the bullpen. Lyles posted three strikeouts in 1.2 innings of work while surrendering two hits. Peters picked up his second win of the season to move to 2-0. The right-hander struck out five in 2.0 frames with just one hit conceded. Higgins earned his fourth save of the year by collecting the final out on his only pitch of the game.
• The WKU offense scored four runs on eight hits and three walks with three RBI.
• Wideman had two doubles in a 2-for-4 day at the plate with one run scored. The Marietta, Ga. native has 17 doubles this season – the most in Conference USA.
• Henry Brown reached base three times in a 2-for-3 outing with a walk.
• Haller had the only multi-RBI performance with two runs driven in, going 1-for-4.
• Ross went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a sacrifice bunt.
• Reid Howard walked twice and scored two runs.
• Hayes had a double, going 1-for-4 with a run scored.

QUOTABLES
• "My story before the game was about the game not being perfect. The game is a game of compete. If you're looking for perfect, then you're in trouble. The game is about being a game of compete – figuring it out. That's what came to fruition today." – Head Coach Marc Rardin on the series-clinching win.

UP NEXT
• WKU and Liberty will conclude the series tomorrow afternoon at Worthington Field. First pitch is set for 12 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.