THE RUNDOWN
Sunday afternoon, DBU (29-23, 17-10 CUSA) fell to Western Kentucky (28-24, 13-14 CUSA) by a score of 11-8, as the Patriots dropped their second CUSA series of the year. DBU hitters were held to just six hits, but were able to capitalize on seven free passes (six walks, one hit by pitch) in the effort.
Aiden VanDeHatert delivered multiple scoreless innings out of the bullpen today, recording seven total outs across the third, fourth, and fifth innings.
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Western Kentucky jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a Cael Frost three-run homer, and pushed their lead to four on a wild pitch in the second.
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With one away in the top of the third,
Chayton Krauss and
Luke Pettitte punched consecutive RBI singles before
Ben Tryon crushed a lead-taking three-run homer down the right field line, capping a five-run frame.
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DBU's 5-4 advantage wouldn't last too long, however, as the Hilltoppers scored three runs in the bottom of the third after earning three straight free passes with one out in the inning. Neither team scored in the fourth, as the game remained 7-5.
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Luke Pettitte launched an opposite-field homer on the first pitch of the fifth inning, making it a one-run game.
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Aiden VanDeHatert was lifted in the sixth following 2.1 scoreless innings, and the Hilltoppers immediately added on two more runs. After six innings, WKU led 9-6.
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The Patriots would get those runs right back in the top of the seventh, as
Jake Bennett launched a two-run homer to center field to bring the Patriots back within one.
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Western Kentucky added two runs in the bottom of the eighth to extend their lead back out to three, before blanking the Patriots in the top of the ninth to take the series.
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THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Jake Bennett's homer snapped a drought of four games without an extra-base hit.
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Ben Tryon's big fly snapped a 25-game homerless streak.
- This weekend was the first series of the season where DBU did not steal at least one base.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
3 -
Dylan Cupp drew three walks out of the leadoff spot today.
9 - Across his last three outings,
Aiden VanDeHatert owns a 2.38 ERA (11.1 innings).
66.7% - DBU is now 8-4 in Sunday games this season.
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ON DECK
DBU will conclude its regular season schedule against Jacksonville State (40-11, 22-5 CUSA) next weekend at Horner Ballpark. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CST.
