Box Score BOWLING GREEN, Ky. ? Western Kentucky (19-23, 11-10 Sun Belt) put up six runs in the first inning on Sunday afternoon en route to a 10-4 win over the UALR baseball team (17-26, 5-15) in the final tilt of a three-game conference series at Nick Denes Field.
The Hilltoppers saw seven of their 17 hits come in the first inning, as WKU used the six-run first inning to complete its three-game sweep of the Trojans.
Junior Levi Laughlin (2-4) got the starting nod for the Trojans, but lasted just 0.2 innings after WKU opened the game with three consecutive hits (two doubles). The Sapulpa, Okla.-native surrendered seven hits and six runs to the Hilltoppers, before junior Steve Gilgenbach came on in relief and got the final out of the inning with UALR down 6-0.
WKU stretched its lead to 9-0 before the Trojans got on the board in the top of the sixth. With the bases loaded and one out, freshman Brad Swiderski delivered a two-run single through the left side to score senior Brian Asbill and junior Robert Taylor.
The Trojans added two more runs in the top of the ninth, compliments of a sacrifice fly from senior Brett Lawler and a bases-loaded walk by junior Osvaldo Torres, to bring the game to its 10-4 finale.
WKU's Matt Hightower (1-2) picked up his first win of the season by holding the Trojans to two runs (one earned) off four hits over 6.0 innings of work. Liam Shannahan followed Hightower's start with 2.0 innings of scoreless relief to keep the Trojans at bay.
Terrance Dayleg, Wade Gaynor and C.J. Wamsley tallied three hits a piece to lead the way for the Hilltoppers, with Troy Frazier driving in a team-high three runs.
Taylor led the Trojans with a 2-for-4 day at the plate, while Swiderski plated two of the team's four runs in the loss. Gilgbenbach worked 3.1 innings in relief of Laughlin, allowing just one run and five hits to the Hilltoppers. Junior Nathan Parker and freshman Gavin Gray combined to hold the Hilltoppers hitless over the final 2.1 innings.
UALR returns to action next weekend when it welcomes Troy to Gary Hogan Field for a three-game set (May 4-6).
