Cael Frost powered a Hilltopper offense that scored nine runs on nine hits with five of the nine runs coming off of three home runs. Frost finished with two, two-run home runs and tallied three total hits in the rubber match Sunday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Blue Raiders scratched two runs on a two-run home run to left field in the first inning to take the early lead.
- A Middle Tennessee two run second made it a 4-0 game.
- In the Hilltopper fourth Lane Arroyos and Kyle Hayes both reached via walks. A fielding error allowed Arroyos to score and move Hayes over to third.
- Then a wild pitch brought Hayes home to make it a two run game.
- Parker Coley then lined a double into the right field corner to score Daniel Stewart for a 4-3 game.
- On a 2-0 count, Austin Haller knocked a solo home run over the right field wall, marking the fifth of his Hilltopper career, to even the score at four.
- Reid Howard then walked and stole his second base of the day.
- With two out, Cael Frost lifted a ball high over the left field wall and out to give the Hilltoppers a two-run lead.
- With one out in the sixth a sacrifice fly off the bat of Arroyos scored JP Acosta from third, pushing the WKU lead to three runs at 7-4.
- A three run Blue Raider sixth evened the score at 7-all.
- In the Hilltopper ninth, Arroyos jumped aboard with his second walk.
- With two outs, Frost lifted a ball over the wall in right center field to give WKU a two-run lead, the second two-run homer of the day for the left fielder.
- The Blue Raiders would plate a run in the ninth but Nathan Lawson would close the door and give WKU a series win over Middle Tennessee.
NOTABLES
- WKU improves to 26-22 on the year and 11-13 in CUSA play.
- The Hilltoppers are now 137-121-2 all-time against the Blue Raiders and 56-69-1 in Murfreesboro.
- Dawson Hall earned the starting nod on Sunday.
- Out of the bullpen, WKU used Zach Lyles, Mick Uebelhor, Zack Serup, Jacob O'Day, Ka'olu Holt, and Nathan Lawson.
- Uebelhor had a team high 3.0 innings of work. He finished with one run (earned) on two hits, a walk, and three strikeouts.
- Holt earned the win, tossing 2.1 innings, allowing one run (earned) on three hits with one walk and two strikeouts. He is now 2-1 on the year.
- Lawson logged his fourth save as a Hilltopper, recording the final out of the game.
- Cael Frost paced a Hilltopper that scratched nine runs. Frost contributed four of them, finishing with a 3-for-5 game with two home runs, four RBIs, two runs, and a double.
- Both of Frost's home runs were two-run home runs that gave WKU a two-run lead in both instances.
- Sunday marked the third multi home run game of Frost's collegiate career and his first since February 28, 2025.
- Austin Haller also logged a home run, marking his third of 2026. Haller finished up 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run.
- Lane Arroyos finished with two walks, two runs, and an RBI in two plate appearances.
- JP Acosta and Parker Coley each logged a 1-for-3 game. Acosta added a run and Coley had an RBI in their respective offensive efforts.
- Daniel Stewart and Kyle Hayes each recorded one hit and one run. Hayes finished 1-for-3 with a pair of walks and Stewart went 1-for-4.
- Reid Howard was the seventh Hilltopper on Sunday to score a run. He would finish with two walks.
- Sunday marked the ninth multi-home run of the game for WKU. The Hilltoppers are 7-2 when doing so.
- The Hilltoppers managed seven walks Sunday, which matched the most in a road game this season and the most in road conference play.
- With the win Sunday, WKU clinched their third straight series over Middle Tennessee. Two of three have been in Murfreesboro.
- The series win marks the sixth of the season for WKU and is their first road-series win.
QUOTABLE
On the series clinching win, head coach Marc Rardin said "This weekend was big. It was a knock down, drag out game that we ended up winning and we did a really good job today."
On Cael Frost's two home run game, Rardin said "He's done stuff like this his whole career. This year may not have gone as planned but he's a class act kid and is really deserving of it. He's grinded and has really started to have some good days and put some things together and he put it all together today."
NEXT UP
The Hilltoppers will host EKU in their final midweek matchup on Wednesday, May 6. First pitch from Nick Denes Field is set for 5 p.m. CT with audio streaming 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.
