#DiamondDandies 2/24 – 3/2

Courtesy of WKU Athletics on Facebook

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-4 overall, 2-2 this week)
The Hilltoppers had a record of 2-2 for the week, with each of their match-up’s being decided by one run. WKU started the week off on a high note as they drove down to Nashville to upset the number 4 Vanderbilt Commodores. Tops pitcher Josh Bartley stood atop the mound for 6 innings that game and would only surrender 2 runs with 3 hits, and the bullpen would close it out from there, with Ian Tompkins shutting the door on a 3-2 win for WKU.

WKU also paid a visit to Greenville, North Carolina for the Keith LeClair Classic. The Tops went 1-2 on the weekend with one run losses to East Carolina and Ohio State. Against the Pirates, WKU would only be able to have one runner cross the plate. On the defensive side, Justin Hageman spent the majority of the time on top of the mound…pitching six innings and allowing 3 hits with 1 run while throwing 2 strikeouts. The game would go into extra innings and the Pirates would capitalize in the 10th inning sealing the deal 2-1.

Against the Buckeyes, it looked as if the Hilltoppers could steal another win against a big conference opponents they were up by 3 – but the men from the north would say no to that as they rallied four runs in the eighth inning against WKU pitcher Brandon Allen.

As for totals this week the bullpen only gave up 9 runs…and eight of those runs came in the 7th inning or later. The Hilltoppers pitching staff is their biggest strength…just need to close out the games in their favor.