THE RUNDOWN
Friday night, DBU (28-22, 16-9 CUSA) lost to Western Kentucky (27-23, 12-13 CUSA) by a score of 7-4, dropping the series opener. With the game knotted at four in the bottom of the ninth, WKU's Daniel Stewart launched a walk-off, three-run homer to left center on the first pitch he saw.
Ben Tryon led the Patriots' offense, reaching base safely three times, and
Chayton Krauss launched his team-leading 17th home run in the effort.
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WKU's Gage Olsen and
Liam Watt exchanged zeros in the first inning, before the Hilltoppers struck first with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second.
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In response,
Brooks Sartain and
Jake Bennett would set the table for a
Chayton Krauss lead-taking homer to left field in the top of the third. Later on in the frame, consecutive singles from
Luke Pettitte,
Ben Tryon, and
Dylan Schlaegel would plate another run. After the top of the third, DBU led 4-2.
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Watt would toss a scoreless third and fourth, preserving the Patriots' lead.
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Western Kentucky would eventually tie the game at four, scratching a run across in both the fifth and seventh innings. Watt would get through six-plus before being relieved for
Russ Smith. WKU's Lane Arroyos would drive in the tying run with one away in the seventh via an RBI groundout.
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The Patriots stranded the bases loaded in the top of the eighth, before Smith struck out three 'Toppers in the bottom half in a scoreless frame.
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In the ninth, DBU went down in order before Western Kentucky's Daniel Stewart lifted a walk-off three-run homer over the wall in left-center.
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THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- DBU has dropped consecutive games for the first time since April 19th and 21st.
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Chayton Krauss has ripped five home runs in his last seven games.
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Russ Smith's scoreless innings streak was snapped at 11.0 innings.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
17 -
Chayton Krauss' third-inning home run gave him the team lead in big flies.
65.2% -
Liam Watt and
Russ Smith combined to produce a 65.2% strike percentage tonight.
100 - Krauss' homer was the 100th of the season for DBU. It marks the fourth consecutive season that the Patriots have belted 100 long balls.
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ON DECK
DBU will continue their weekend set against Western Kentucky tomorrow afternoon. Saturday's first pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. CST.
