Today is the big day…the day the Tops head back in to Bowling Green Ballpark to take on the UK Wildcats. Big numbers are expected again for the instate rivalry and the game will not disappoint. The Tops are coming off a series victory of the Red Wolves of Arkansas State, and boast a (24-13) record. The Wildcats have been struggling as of late. Actually they’ve struggled the entire season. A program that has been a conference contender for the past five years, UK currently has a losing record of (17-20) which includes a record of (2-13) in SEC play. Though the Cats may not be having the best year, it’s tough to think they won’t be looking to avenge last year’s loss at BG Ballpark. WKU totally embarrassed the Cats in front of 6,183 fans last year. It was the largest crowd to ever see a college baseball game in the state of Kentucky, and my were the Hilltopper fans happy. With the revenge factor on the line and the in-state rivalry in play, there’s no doubt this game will be a great one to attend.
Game Notes
-Sophomore pitcher Taylor Haydel is the projected starter for the tops. Tanner Perkins and Justin Hageman have both shown what a young, inexperienced pitcher is capable of this year. They have each led the Hilltopper starting rotation despite being underclassmen. Hopefully, Haydel can come out in front of the crowd and show them early how good he actually is. With a fastball in the 90’s and a sharp curve that sits in the high 70’s it’s only a matter of time before he breaks out and dominates. This could be the game.
-The talk before the game will be last year’s contest. It was an amazing offensive display by WKU scoring 24 runs. It may not make much sense to expect something like that to happen again but WKU thrives at BG ballpark against big competition. In the two games against Louisville and Kentucky at the park the team is averaging 19.5 runs. I don’t know if it’s the crowd, the lighting, or the Hot Rods mascot Roscoe, but something in that ballpark has the Hilltoppers ready to hit. Don’t be too surprised to see WKU put a lot of runs up on the board in bunches.
-WKU is referred to by analysts as a mid-major. The football and basketball teams recruit on a mid-major level, and until we get a D1 home football victory the title fits. The school is seeing its biggest growth in its history. The athletic department is a mirror image in that aspect. The basketball team has some recent NBA draftees and the football team has one upcoming in the near future. However this growth is most apparent with the baseball team. Defeating teams such as Louisville and Ole Miss shows that the team can compete on a national level right now. The biggest indication of the team’s upper level ability is the team’s heartbreaking loss to #1 Vanderbilt. The two teams battled down to the wire with Vanderbilt barely squeezing out the victory. A win against an SEC team and an in-state rival would only strengthen the argument for WKU progression towards national prominence.
-With UK coming into town there remains one big question for the WKU community, which team will you root for? UK is the most recognizable team in the state for its stellar basketball program. Many students from WKU come from families and towns where UK is “our team”. However with an enrollment reaching over 20,000 there is no excuse for students and faculty not to come out and support their school. Although WKU and UK don’t compete in many sports, baseball is one where WKU is equal to, if not better than, UK every year. A big win could get students excited about the athletic program’s progress, and sway some blue fans to finally stand up and cheer for dear old Western.
-Matt Rice is currently tied for the school record for career hits with 281. He is also only two RBI’s shy of breaking that school record as well. It would be great to see Rice break either school record against the Cats tonight, perhaps on a walk-off bomb? That is if the Cats can stay within at least 10 runs this time around.
#WESTERN KENTUCKY DAWG
Matt Rice hits a homer against Louisville the last time the Tops stepped into BG Ballpark
Courtesy of Hilltopper Video
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