Box Score BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – UALR couldn't get its offense going and was shut out in an 8-0 loss to WKU at Nick Denes Field. Despite the loss, Austin Pfeiffer continued his hot hitting with two singles and also drew a walk.
The Hilltoppers (22-20, 10-9 SBC) outhit the Trojans (17-23, 5-14 SBC) 13-5 behind a stellar eight-inning pitching performance from Justin Hageman.
WKU jumped on UALR starter Cory Malcom in the second inning scoring five runs on five hits including a three-run homer run by Regan Flaherty.
The Trojans loaded the bases with two outs in the third when Pfeiffer battled and drew a walk. However, Hageman was able to get Tanner Rockwell to pop out in the infield and get out of the inning to end UALR's threat, its best scoring chance of the night.
The Hilltoppers went back to work in the fourth scoring two more runs on a single by Scott Wilcox to stretch its lead to 7-0.
Malcom finished his night working four innings allowing seven run on eight hits. The freshman struck out five while walking three.
Stephen Chandler came on in relief the fifth and allowed a home run to Cody Wofford, which made the score 8-0. Chandler came back and worked a scoreless sixth. The junior threw two innings allowing a run on two hits.
In the seventh inning the Trojans turned to Jake Busiek on the mound. A walk and a single put runners on first and second with two outs before Pfeiffer made a great catch in shallow left field.
Josh Merrill worked the bottom of the eighth allowing two hits but was able to beat the runner to first to complete a 3-6-1 double play to end the inning.
Petr Sila posted hit second multi-hit game of the season with two singles. Pfeiffer extended his eight-game hitting streak with a single in the sixth and another single in the ninth. Bryson Thionnet added the team's other hit with a one-out single in the seventh.
The Trojans and the Hilltoppers will meet again on Saturday with the game starting at 3:00 p.m. before closing out the series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
