Hilltopper baseball splits season-opening doubleheader with BYU

3 hours ago

WNKY Staff,

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Baseball opened the 2026 season with a doubleheader split hosting BYU on Friday, Feb. 13 at Nick Denes Field, falling 3-2 in game one before responding with a 5-2 victory in game two.

GAME ONE

BYU 3, WKU 2

The Cougars struck first with a run in the top of the second inning
WKU answered in the bottom half, evening the count on an RBI single from Ian Nguyen
The score remained even until the sixth after an RBI single to left field from Lane Arroyos advanced Kiefer Tarnoki gave the Tops a 2-1 lead
BYU rallied in the ninth, plating two runs to reclaim a 3-2 advantage
WKU put the tying run on base in the bottom of the ninth but fell short of evening the score, falling 3-2
Gavin Perry started on the mound for WKU and allowed just one run on one hit across 4.0 innings while striking out four. Mick Uebelhor followed with 3.0 scoreless frames and three strikeouts out of the bullpen. Dawson Hall struck out three in 2.0 innings of work.
The Tops tallied seven hits, leaving 13 runners on base. Nguyen led the way with two doubles and an RBI, while Parker Coley added a double. Reid Howard and Austin Haller each swiped two bases.

GAME TWO

WKU 5, BYU 2

WKU jumped ahead early as Arroyos homered to right field to drive in two runs in the first inning
The Hilltoppers added another in the fifth off a Camden Ross homer to right center to extend the lead to 3-0
A two-run seventh inning pushed the WKU advantage to 5-0 as JP Acosta doubled to right center, driving in Howard and Ross
BYU managed two runs in the ninth before WKU closed on a 5-2 victory
Arroyos powered the offense early with a two-run homer, while Ross finished with two runs scored and an RBI. Acosta contributed a two-RBI effort, and Arroyos added another pair of hits on the afternoon.
Aaron Robertson earned the win in his first career start with WKU, striking out seven over 4.0 shutout innings while allowing just three hits. Jacob O’Day and Jude Favela combined for 3.1 scoreless innings in relief. After BYU rallied for two runs in the ninth, Nathan Lawson recorded the final two outs to secure the save.
WKU drew 10 walks in the game and capitalized on limited scoring opportunities, finishing with five runs on five hits to secure the split and even the series at 1-1.

NEXT UP

WKU will continue its season-opening series with the Cougars on Saturday, Feb. 14 at Nick Denes Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. CT.