The Hilltoppers jumped out to an 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning with a solo shot by Ivan Hartle and a RBI single by Senior leader Matt Rice. FAU quickly responded to tie the game in the top of the 4th. The score remained the same until Logan Robbins belted a two-out grand slam. WKU looked to be in control of the game until the 8th inning. Relief pitcher Brian Edelen gave up 3 ER in the top of the 8th. Then in the top of the 9th, Raymond Church launched a solo shot off Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Justin Hageman to tie the game 6-6. WKU’s four run lead had quickly vanished and the Hilltoppers soon found themselves fighting an uphill battle. Twice in extra innings the Hilltoppers faced a two run deficit. In the top of the 11th, the Tops relief pitchers continued to struggle as FAU SS Nick Delguidice hit a 2 run shot to put the Owls up. WKU responded with two of their own in the bottom half of the inning. However, FAU quickly reclaimed their lead in the next inning with a pair of runs making it 10-8. Down by two again, WKU found one last effort and put the game away for good. After already scoring one in the inning, Jared Andreoli’s two-out walk off double in the bottom of the 12th knocked in two runs to give WKU the 11-10 victory. With the win, the Hilltoppers sit atop the Pool A standings. WKU will face #8 seed UALR tomorrow at 3pm. Although ranked the eighth seed in the tournament, UALR took 2 of 3 in the only series the teams played this year. No starting pitchers have been announced for the game, but after using five pitchers today, it will be interesting to see whom WKU chooses. Let’s just hope that tomorrow, the pitching staff will be able to hold onto their leads.
Quick Stats
Andreoli: 5-6, 2 RBIs. 5 hits are a career high.
Rice: 3-4, 2 RBIs
Carter: 2-5, 1 RBI
Robbins: 1-5, Grand Slam, 4 RBIs
Hartle 2-6, 2RBIs
Rest of team: 1-16
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