Rardin Collects 100th Win at WKU as #25 Tops Complete Sweep of Flames

Sunday, April 13

Lynchburg, Va.

12:00 PM CT

Western Kentucky University

31-5, 9-3

Liberty

22-14, 5-7

Western Kentucky

Liberty

Photo by: Jack Todd, WKU Athletics

Rardin Collects 100th Win at WKU as #25 Tops Complete Sweep of Flames

4/13/2025 3:57:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

LYNCHBURG, Va. – #25 WKU Baseball defeated Liberty 4-3 to complete the three-game sweep on Sunday afternoon at Worthington Field.

The Hilltoppers (31-5, 9-3 CUSA) scored all their runs in the second inning to take an early lead while the pitching staff held the Flames (22-14, 5-7 CUSA) scoreless through seven frames. Liberty was able to cut the Tops lead to one, but the WKU bullpen closed down the ninth to earn the 4-3 win.

With the victory, Head Coach Marc Rardin collects his 100th win at WKU in his 152nd game. He's the second-fastest coach to 100 victories at WKU behind Joel Murrie, who won 100 of his first 135 games.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Hilltoppers scored first for the third consecutive game with a four-spot in the second inning. Reid Howard dribbled a two-RBI double down the left line before scoring on a wild pitch later in the inning. Carlos Vasquez padded the lead with an RBI single to extend the WKU advantage to 4-0.
• Liberty used a three-run homer to cut its deficit to 4-3 in the eighth inning.

NOTABLES
• WKU moves to 31-5 (9-3 CUSA) on the season and 6-0 all-time against Liberty. The Hilltoppers have swept the Flames in back-to-back seasons.
• With the win, Marc Rardin grabs his 100th win as the head coach of WKU.
• Drew Whalen got the starting nod on the mound and picked up his seventh win of the season to move to 7-1. The right-hander struck out six in 6.0 scoreless frames while allowing two hits and two walks.
• Taylor Penn, Evan Jones, Cal Higgins saw action out of the bullpen. Penn retired the side in the seventh while striking out one Flame. Higgins claimed his second save of the weekend and fifth of the season in 2.0 innings of work. He surrendered one run on one hit with one strikeout.
• The WKU offense scored four runs on six hits with three RBI.
• Howard had two RBI in a 1-for-3 outing with a double and a run scored.
• Vasquez had an RBI in a 1-for-4 performance.
• Kyle Hayes went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
• Henry Brown and Thomas Marsala added a run each.

UP NEXT
• WKU concludes the four-game road swing with a midweek contest at #14 Louisville. First pitch from Jim Patterson Park in Louisville, Ky. 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.