Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Friday, April 18
Bowling Green, KY
3 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
18-21, 4-10
10
at
3
Western Kentucky
32-7, 10-4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Middle Tennessee
0
0
2
4
2
0
2
0
0
10
12
1
WKU
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
3
8
3
Blue Raiders snap WKU’s home streak with statement win over No. 20 Hilltoppers, 10–3
4/18/2025 7:16:00 PM | Baseball
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Middle Tennessee put together a dominant offensive performance on the road, defeating No. 20 WKU 10–3 at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green. The Blue Raiders pounded out 12 hits and capitalized on WKU's defensive miscues to snap their losing skid in Conference USA play, and hand the Hilltoppers their first loss at home this season.
After falling behind 1–0 in the second, Middle Tennessee responded with authority. Clay Badylak and Brett Vondohlen drove in runs in the third inning to take a 2–1 lead, aided by back-to-back WKU throwing errors. The fourth inning saw the Blue Raiders explode for four runs, including RBI hits by Eston Snider, Badylak, and a two-run double by Vondohlen.
Hayden Miller was a standout at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, and three RBIs. He crushed a two-run shot to left center in the fifth, extending the lead to 8–1. In the seventh, Miller and Brett Rogers added back-to-back RBI doubles to cap the scoring at ten.
On the mound, Drew Horn turned in a strong start, throwing five innings and allowing just one unearned run while striking out five to earn the win. Ollie Akens finished the final four innings to notch the save, limiting WKU to two runs and preserving the comfortable lead.
The defense turned two double plays, and despite one error, played clean enough behind their pitchers to stay in control throughout. With the win, Middle Tennessee improved to 18–21 overall and 4–10 in CUSA, delivering a statement victory against a nationally ranked opponent.
By the Numbers
23-1: – The Blue Raiders handed WKU its first loss at home this season. They were 23-0 heading into Friday.
#20: – This marks the second ranked win of the season for Middle Tennessee. The first happened at Dallas Baptist in a 12-6 victory against the #15th team in the country at the time.
4: Ollie Akens pitched his second save of the year by going four innings, with four hits and two runs scored.
1.75: Drew Horn lowered his ERA to a stunning 1.75 after today's performance. He jumped into first place in Conference USA with MTSU adding runs onto both WKU's first and second game starter.
Up next
Middle Tennessee will play the rubber match tomorrow, Saturday, April 19th at 1 p.m. at Nick Denes Field.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with the Blue Raiders on X (@MT_Baseball), Facebook (Blue Raider Baseball), and Instagram (@MT_Baseball).
After falling behind 1–0 in the second, Middle Tennessee responded with authority. Clay Badylak and Brett Vondohlen drove in runs in the third inning to take a 2–1 lead, aided by back-to-back WKU throwing errors. The fourth inning saw the Blue Raiders explode for four runs, including RBI hits by Eston Snider, Badylak, and a two-run double by Vondohlen.
Hayden Miller was a standout at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, and three RBIs. He crushed a two-run shot to left center in the fifth, extending the lead to 8–1. In the seventh, Miller and Brett Rogers added back-to-back RBI doubles to cap the scoring at ten.
On the mound, Drew Horn turned in a strong start, throwing five innings and allowing just one unearned run while striking out five to earn the win. Ollie Akens finished the final four innings to notch the save, limiting WKU to two runs and preserving the comfortable lead.
The defense turned two double plays, and despite one error, played clean enough behind their pitchers to stay in control throughout. With the win, Middle Tennessee improved to 18–21 overall and 4–10 in CUSA, delivering a statement victory against a nationally ranked opponent.
By the Numbers
23-1: – The Blue Raiders handed WKU its first loss at home this season. They were 23-0 heading into Friday.
#20: – This marks the second ranked win of the season for Middle Tennessee. The first happened at Dallas Baptist in a 12-6 victory against the #15th team in the country at the time.
4: Ollie Akens pitched his second save of the year by going four innings, with four hits and two runs scored.
1.75: Drew Horn lowered his ERA to a stunning 1.75 after today's performance. He jumped into first place in Conference USA with MTSU adding runs onto both WKU's first and second game starter.
Up next
Middle Tennessee will play the rubber match tomorrow, Saturday, April 19th at 1 p.m. at Nick Denes Field.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with the Blue Raiders on X (@MT_Baseball), Facebook (Blue Raider Baseball), and Instagram (@MT_Baseball).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Horn, Drew (3-1)
L: Dawson Hall (5-1)
S: Akens, Ollie (2)
Batting:
2B: Badylak, Clay 1 ; Vondohlen, Brett 2 ; Rogers, Brett 1 ; Miller, Hayden 1
HR: Miller, Hayden 1
RBI: Snider, Eston 1 ; Badylak, Clay 2 ; Vondohlen, Brett 2 ; Rogers, Brett 1 ; Miller, Hayden 3
SH: Wolfe, Matt 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Snider, Eston 2 ; Badylak, Clay 2 ; Ray, Keaton 1 ; Wolfe, Matt 1 ; Rogers, Brett 1 ; Miller, Hayden 2 ; Clapp, Cooper 1
CS: Badylak, Clay 1
HBP: Minnick, Tyler 1
Batting:
2B: Carlos Vasquez 1
HR: Kyle Hayes 1
RBI: Carlos Vasquez 1 ; Kyle Hayes 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kyle Hayes 1 ; Thomas Marsala 1 ; Camden Ross 1
SB: Kyle Hayes 1 ; Thomas Marsala 1
HBP: Joe Siervo 2
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
2
H
3
RBI
3
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
AB
5
R
0
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
INF/RHP
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