BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (4-18-2008) ? Leading 2-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers broke the game open with six runs in the inning and went on to defeat the Arkansas State Indians 8-1 Friday night in game one of a Sun Belt Conference series at Nick Denes Field.
The Hilltoppers improved to 21-16 overall and 8-8 in Sun Belt Conference play, while ASU dropped to 16-22 on the year and 5-11 in league play.
The Hilltoppers claimed a 1-run lead at the end of one. Center fielder Scott Kaskie reached on a walk to lead off the frame for Western Kentucky. Kaskie moved from first to third on an Indian throwing error before coming home on a single from shortstop Terrence Dayleg for the 1-0 WKU advantage.
An RBI triple from left fielder Matt Hightower in the third extended the Hilltopper lead to 2-0 before the Tribe was able to get on the board with a run in the fifth.
Freshman designated hitter Murray Watts led off the fifth with a walk, moved to second on a bunt single from sophomore left fielder Cody Pace and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from right fielder Aaron Ferguson. Watts scored on a sacrifice fly from Guy Brown that cut the Hilltopper lead to 2-1.
Neither team could manage a run until Western Kentucky got to Indian starter Chase Ware for three straight singles, including an RBI hit from Dayleg with no outs in the eighth. Ware went into the eighth with five strikeouts under his belt against just three hits and two walks, but was finished for the evening after Dayleg's RBI single stretched the Hilltopper lead to 3-1.
Left fielder Matt Hightower, designated hitter Chad Cregar and third baseman Wade Gaynor all added RBI hits against Indian reliever Joel Boeschen to close out the inning with the Hilltoppers in front 8-1.
Western Kentucky reliever Rye Davis did not allow an ASU baserunner in the ninth to close out the win for the Hilltoppers.
Hilltopper starter Bart Carter (4-3) picked up the win on the mound for Western Kentucky, giving up one run on seven hits, with a pair of walks and five strikeouts. Ware (4-4) took the loss for ASU, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits. Ware walked two and struck out five.
Junior second baseman Brandon Eller had three hits on the night to lead ASU, while Dayleg had a pair of hits and two RBI's to lead the Hilltoppers.
Game two of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m.
