BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Baseball continued its four-game weekend series hosting Indiana with a doubleheader split on Saturday at Nick Denes Field. The Hilltoppers opened the day with a 3-1 loss to the Hoosiers before returning for game two of the doubleheader and securing a 14-12 victory.
With the split, WKU moves to 7-5 overall and takes a 2-1 lead in the series with Indiana.Â
GAME ONE
IU 3, WKU 1
- The Hoosiers struck first in the second inning, using a stolen base and a pair of singles to manufacture a run
- Left-hander Aaron Robertson got the start on the mound and was sharp early, tossing 6.0 innings and allowing just one run on six hits while inducing 10 ground-ball outs to keep the Hilltoppers within striking distance throughout
- WKU evened the game in the fifth when Hayden Robbins launched a solo home run to left – his first of the season – to tie it at 1-1
- The game remained deadlocked until the eighth as Indiana capitalized on consecutive singles and a sacrifice fly to push across the go-ahead run
- The Hoosiers added an insurance RBI single later in the inning to take a two-run lead
- The Tops were unable to bridge the gap and dropped game two of the series, 3-1Â
NOTABLESÂ
- WKU's offense was limited to four hits, with Robbins' homer providing the only extra-base knock
- Robertson's performance on the mound highlighted the afternoon for the Tops – the lefty has now totaled 16.0 innings pitched for WKU through three starts and currently holds a 1.69 ERA
GAME TWO
WKU 14, IU 12
- WKU plated four runs in the first inning to take an early 4-0 lead
- A double to left center by Kyle Hayes advanced Lane Arroyos home for the Tops' first run of the game
- Reid Howard later singled to left center to drive in a run from JP Acosta and give WKU a 2-0 lead
- A two-RBI double by Daniel Stewart brought home Camden Ross and Hayes and pushed the Hilltopper lead to four, 4-0 entering the second
- A Ross ground out in the second plated Arroyos and gave WKU a 5-0 lead heading into the third
- After one run by Indiana in the top third, the Tops responded with another pair of runs in the bottom of the frameÂ
- Ian Nguyen singled to plate Hayden Nazarenus and Arroyos later doubled to bring home Nguyen and push the Tops' lead to 7-1 entering the fourth
- The Hoosiers answered with a four-run fourth to narrow the lead to two, 7-5, entering the bottom of the frame
- WKU cashed in on another three runs in the bottom fourth, as a Howard ground out scored Acosta and gave WKU am 8-5 lead
- Nazarenus followed with a two-RBI homer to right, pushing the Hilltopper lead back out to five, 10-5
- After the Hoosiers managed another pair of runs in the bottom fifth to bring the count to 10-7, WKU once again responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame
- Hayed grounded out to second to plate Nguyen, and Arroyos later scored on a wild pitch to give WKU a 12-7 lead entering the sixth
- Indiana cut the WKU lead to two, 12-10, after advancing a runner home on a throwing error and later homering to drive in two runs
- Hayes doubled to right field to score Arroyos, and a sac-fly by Ross scored Acosta to give the Tops a 14-10 lead entering the eighth
- Indiana cut the WKU lead back down to two, 14-12, after a pair of runs in the top eighthÂ
- Nathan Lawson closed the game in the ninth, striking out three and allowing one hit and one earned run through 2.0 innings pitchedÂ
NOTABLESÂ
- Arroyos fueled the WKU offense with a 3-for-3 performance, scoring four runs and reaching base five times
- Acosta also went 3-for-3 at the plate, scoring three runsÂ
- Hayes drove in three runs on the night, while Nazarenus added a two-RBI homer and two RBIs
- Conner Wolf provided stability out of the bullpen, throwing 2.1 innings with four strikeouts while allowing just two hits and no earned runsÂ
- WKU and IU combined for 26 runs and 28Â hits in the nightcap
- WKU's pitching staff walked only one batter for the game compared to IU's nine
NEXT UP
WKU wraps its four-game weekend series hosting Indiana on Sunday, March 1 at Nick Denes Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. CT.
Tickets for the weekend series with the Hoosiers can be purchased here or by calling 1-800-5-BIG RED.Â
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.
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