Tops Land a League-High 9 on All-CUSA Teams

DALLAS – WKU Baseball placed a league-high nine players on the 2025 All-Conference USA Teams, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.

Votes were compiled from the head coaches of the 10 CUSA teams, respectively.

Three Hilltoppers were named to the All-CUSA First Team, including outfielder Ryan Wideman, starting pitcher Drew Whalen and relief pitcher Lucas Hartman.

Four Hilltoppers were featured on the All-CUSA Second Team, including infielder Kyle Hayes, infielder Carlos Vasquez, starting pitcher Jack Bennett and relief pitcher Cal Higgins.

Two Hilltoppers were recognized on the CUSA All-Freshman Team, including infielder Reid Howard and right-handed pitcher Taylor Penn.

Wideman was selected as the CUSA Player and Newcomer of the Year after slashing .408 / .476 / .665 for the season with 89 hits, eight home runs, six triples, 20 doubles, 64 RBI, 66 runs scored and 42 stolen bases. With three stolen bags in the second game against Jax State, he broke the program's single-season record for stolen bases in a single-season, passing Carlos Akins, who had 41 in the 1995 campaign. The junior finished the regular season leading CUSA in batting average (.408), hits (89), triples (6), total bases (145) and stolen bases (42). He ranks top five in the league in 12 offensive categories.

Whalen was tabbed as the CUSA Pitcher of the Year after turning in an outstanding regular season on the mound, posting a 9-2 overall record with a 2.84 ERA in 14 consecutive weekend starts. In 69.2 innings of work, the right-hander totaled 79 strikeouts and a .223 opposing batting average while allowing just 22 earned runs and 15 extra-base hits. He had six or more strikeouts in nine of his 14 starts and in six of his first seven starts. In CUSA, the sophomore ranks first in wins (9), second in ERA (2.84), second in opposing batting average (.223), fourth in innings pitched (69.2), third in strikeouts (79) and first in strikeouts looking (24).

Hartman was dominant in relief all season as he posted a 5-1 record with three saves and a 2.70 ERA in 18 appearances. In 46.2 innings of action, he struck out 54 batters while allowing just 18 walks and 14 earned runs. He was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List on April 23. He totaled a career-high seven strikeouts in a 3.1-inning relief outing where he didn't surrender a run on one hit against Sam Houston on March 28.

Hayes paced the offense in conference play, slashing .398 / .495 / .750 against CUSA opponents. His .398 conference batting average led the league while his .495 on-base percentage and .750 slugging percentage ranked second. Overall, the infielder hit .367 with nine homers, three triples, 15 doubles and 50 RBI. Defensively, Hayes recorded a .985 fielding percentage with 301 putouts, 17 assists and just five errors.

Vasquez has made starts at four different positions, primarily at third base. After medically redshirting in the 2024 season, the Brazil native has bounced back in a big way, slashing .377 / .450 / .541 with four home runs, one triple, 20 doubles and 35 RBI. His .377 batting average and 20 doubles rank second in CUSA. He was named the CUSA Hitter of the Week on May 5 after going 9-for-17 (.529) with three three-hit games, three doubles, seven RBI, five runs scored and one walk-off hit in a series-opening win over Louisiana Tech.

Bennett made 12 starts on the mound for WKU in his junior season on The Hill. The right-hander posted a CUSA-best 2.67 ERA with a 6-1 overall record. In 57.1 innings of work, the Paducah, Ky. native totaled 46 strikeouts while conceding just 17 earned runs and 17 walks. Midway through the season, Bennett was named to the College Baseball Hall of Fame National Pitcher of the Year Watch List. He couldn't have had a better start to the 2025 campaign as he didn't give up an earned run through his first 22.0 frames. Bennett was named the CUSA Pitcher of the Week on March 3 after striking out seven batters in a 7.0-inning, shutout performance against Central Michigan on February 28.

Higgins has been one of the go-to guys out of the bullpen for WKU. In 19 appearances, the southpaw ranks second in CUSA with six saves to go along with a 1-2 record and a 2.08 ERA. He has 42 strikeouts in 34.2 innings with just nine walks and eight earned runs allowed. He was named to the 2025 NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List on April 23. He hurled 2.2 perfect frames in relief against #23 Vanderbilt with three strikeouts.

Howard burst onto the scene in his rookie year, quickly cementing himself as the everyday shortstop for the Hilltoppers. In 43 starts, the Ferdinand, Ind. native is slashing .299 / .369 / .478 with six homers, 10 doubles, 32 RBI and 26 runs scored. He's been hot as of late with at least one hit in nine of his last 10 games, including six multi-hit efforts. In Saturday's regular season finale, Howard notched his second four-hit game of the season, going 4-for-5 with a home run and an RBI. Since April 27, the freshman has raised his batting average from .244 to .299.

Penn has earned himself a role as a rotational starter for WKU in just his first season in college baseball. The right-hander has appeared 12 times with three starts on the mound, posting a 3-1 overall record with a 2.70 ERA. In 26.2 innings of work, Penn has struck out 24 batters while allowing just eight earned runs and three walks. Opposing hitters are batting .231 against the freshman.

The Hilltoppers hit the field for practice at Liberty Baseball Stadium on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for the 2025 CUSA Championship. #2 WKU faces #7 New Mexico State in the first round on Wednesday, May 21. First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 a.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.

Players Mentioned

Jack Bennett

Lucas Hartman

Kyle Hayes

Cal Higgins

Reid Howard

Taylor Penn

Carlos Vasquez

Drew Whalen

Ryan Wideman

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