Late surge by WKU sinks Blue Raiders despite early lead

Thursday, April 17

Bowling Green, KY

6 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

17-21, 3-10

Western Kentucky

32-6, 10-3

Middle Tennessee

WKU

4/17/2025 10:05:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Middle Tennessee struck early and held the lead for most of the night, but a late eighth-inning rally by the 20th-ranked Hilltoppers proved too much as the Blue Raiders fell 9-5 Thursday evening at Nick Denes Field.

The Blue Raiders (17-21, 3-10 CUSA) came out swinging in the first, when Eston Snider was hit by a pitch and later came around to score on a two-run homer by Brett Vondohlen—his 15th of the season. Snider stayed active at the plate and on the bases, finishing the night 2-for-4 with a double, RBI, and stolen base.

Middle Tennessee added another run in the second when Matt Wolfe reached on an error and eventually scored on a fielder's choice from Snider. Tyler Minnick drove in a run in the fifth with an RBI double to put the Blue Raiders back in front, and Snider delivered again in the sixth with an RBI double to give MTSU a 5-4 edge.

On the mound, Colin Kerrigan gave a competitive start, allowing four runs over 4.2 innings while striking out four. Will Jenkins took the loss in relief after surrendering three runs over three innings of work. The bullpen was unable to hold off a late push as WKU posted five runs in the bottom of the eighth, overturning MTSU's one-run advantage.

Despite the loss, the Blue Raiders matched up well against a nationally ranked opponent, collecting nine hits—including extra-base knocks from Snider, Minnick, Hayden Miller, and Brett Rogers. Vondohlen's early homer and steady offense throughout the night gave MTSU a fighting chance until the very end.

Middle Tennessee will look to bounce back in game two of the series tomorrow.

By the numbers
15 – Brett Vondohlen hit his 15th home run of the year, which was the first one the WKU starter, Jack Bennett, has allowed all year.
8 – Eight of the nine starters got a hit in tonight's game.

Up next
Middle Tennessee will play game two tomorrow, Friday, April 18th at 3 p.m. at Nick Denes Field.