Lane Arroyos paced a WKU offense that mounted their largest win over Middle Tennessee since the 2004 season. Arroyos charted four hits, two runs, and an RBI. Gavin Perry finished out a complete game shutout allowing no runs on five hits and six strikeouts while allowing just one walk. The complete game shutout for Perry marked the first for a Hilltopper pitcher since the 2023 season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Austin Haller led off the game and was hit by the pitch just two pitches into the game.
- Back-to-back singles from Kyle Hayes and Lane Arroyos loaded the bases with nobody out.
- Camden Ross stepped in and was hit on the fifth pitch of the at bat to drive in a run and give WKU a 1-0 lead.
- Daniel Stewart doubled down the left field line to plate Hayes and Arroyos and extend the lead to three runs, still with no outs.
- Reid Howard then tapped one through the right side to score Ross and give WKU a 4-0 lead before the first out was recorded.
- After the first out, Parker Coley logged a bunt single and a Blue Raider error allowed Stewart and Howard to score for a six run Hilltopper lead.
- Hayes kicked off the WKU second with a lead-off walk and Arroyos knocked a double into the right field alley to drive in Hayes and extend the lead to seven runs.
- Hayes led off the WKU fourth with a walk and with one out Ross singled through the left side.
- Stewart logged his second hit and drove in Hayes for his second RBI.Â
- Howard then managed his third hit of the game to score Ross.
- JP Acosta then reached on an error and Stewart scored to extend the lead to 10 runs.
- In the fifth, Arroyos and Ross both logged base hits. Then, Ross attempted to steal second which allowed Arroyos to score from third before being caught in a rundown, for an 11-0 game.
NOTABLES
- WKU improves to 25-22 on the year and 10-13 in CUSA play.
- Gavin Perry started for the Hilltoppers on the mound Saturday.
- Perry threw a complete game shutout, allowing just five hits, one walk, and six strikeouts in 7.0 innings of work.
- Perry is the first Hilltopper to toss a complete game shutout since Devyn Terbrak did so against South Dakota State in a 3-0 win on March 12, 2023.
- Lane Arroyos paced the Hilltopper offense, finishing 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI, and two runs.
- The four hits for Arroyos matched his season best of four set at EKU on April 21.
- Arroyos now has 23 games in 2026 in which he's recorded two or more hits.
- Reid Howard logged a 3-for-4 game with two RBIs, a run and a double.
- For Howard it marks the third time in four games he has logged multiple RBIs.
- Daniel Stewart filled out the stat line, finishing 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs and a double.
- Kyle Hayes led the team with three runs on Saturday. He finished 1-for-2 with a pair of walks.
- For Hayes, his two walks match a season and career high.
- In the first inning the Hilltoppers batted around, marking the first time they have done so in conference play this season and the first since they did so in an 11-5 win at New Mexico State on May 11, 2025.
- WKU's six runs in the first inning mark the most in a single inning against Middle Tennessee since March 26, 2017 when the Hilltoppers plated six in the second inning en route to a 10-3 road win.
- The six run first inning is also the most WKU has had to start off a game since they plated 12 runs in a 22-12 win over Louisiana Tech on May 4, 2025.
- Saturday was the largest win over Middle Tennessee since a 15-3 win on April 30, 2004 in Murfreesboro.
- It was also the first shutout win over Middle Tennessee since a 4-0 win on May 15, 2011 at Middle Tennessee.
- Saturday marked the largest shutout win over the Blue Raiders since an 18-0 win in Murfreesboro back in 1971.
QUOTABLE
On the win, head coach Marc Rardin said "This was exactly what we needed. Gavin today with his seven innings, five hits, no runs, one walk, and six strikeouts did a tremendous job. We needed that from him. We were able to set the tone early in the first inning by getting those six runs."
NEXT UP
The Hilltoppers will wrap up the series with the Blue Raiders on Sunday, May 3. First pitch from Reese Smith Jr. Field is set for 1 p.m. CT and will be streamed on ESPN+ with audio on the Varsity Network.
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.
