JONESBORO, Ark. (4/14/12) - The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers scored a pair of first-inning runs and never trailed, handing the Arkansas State Red Wolves an 8-3 loss Saturday afternoon in Sun Belt Conference baseball action at Tomlinson Stadium and Kell Field.

With the win, WKU evened the weekend series with the Red Wolves at 1-1.  ASU opened the series with a 5-0 victory Friday night, but dropped to 20-16 overall and 9-5 in conference action with Saturday's loss.   The Hilltoppers improved to 14-20 on the season and 6-8 in SBC action.

All eight of WKU's runs came with two outs on the board, beginning with a pair of first-inning runs off of a double from right fielder Ryan Hutchison.  Arkansas State cut the Hilltopper advantage to 2-1 in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly from left fielder Logan Uxa.

Western Kentucky used an RBI single from second baseman Scott Wilcox, and a two-run double from designated hitter Adam Levelle in the fifth to add three runs, then added a run in the sixth to stretch its lead to 6-1.

The Red Wolves answered with a run in the sixth when designated hitter Ryan Emery drew a bases-loaded walk, then scored once in the seventh on a run-scoring single up the middle from Uxa to get within striking distance at 6-3, but the Hilltoppers added a pair of runs in the ninth to put the game away at 8-3.

Starter Tim Bado (3-4) picked up the win for WKU, going 5.1 innings and allowing two runs on five hits.  Bado struck out two and walked three.  Ross Hammonds worked the final 3.2 innings to earn his second save of the season, allowing one run on five hits while striking out three and walking one.

Daniel Wright (1-4) took the loss for ASU, giving up five runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings of action.  Wright struck out three and walked two.

Western Kentucky out-hit the Red Wolves 12-10 on the day, with Lavelle going 3-for-5 with three RBIs.  Uxa went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs to lead the Red Wolves.

The Red Wolves and Hilltoppers will decide the series Sunday at 1:00 p.m.