Diuguid Dazzles in Relief as Tops Beat USI 2-1

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – WKU Baseball defeated Southern Indiana 2-1 on Tuesday at the USI Baseball Field in Evansville, Ind. The Hilltoppers improve to 26-12 (8-4 CUSA) while the Screaming Eagles drop to 15-22 (5-7 OVC).

This marks the Hilltoppers’ second win over USI this season, completing the season sweep.

Senior Lane Diuguid stole the show out of the bullpen as he struck out four in 5.2 innings of work without allowing a run to score on three hits and a walk. The southpaw improved to 2-0 on the season and lowered his ERA to 4.01.

The WKU offense registered just two runs on two hits with junior Blake Cavill sending one over the right field wall in the second inning. The Australian finished the day with a 1-for-4 outing with one RBI and one run scored. A much-needed insurance run crossed the plate for the Hilltoppers in the fifth inning when junior Joey Baran was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Southern Indiana cut its deficit to one in the eighth inning with an RBI double down the left line and the Tops were forced to turn to the bullpen with a runner in scoring position. Sophomore Lucas Litteral entered with two outs in the eighth and earned the first save of his Hilltopper career. The left-hander was perfect in 1.1 frames, sitting down all four batters he faced while claiming three strikeouts.

UP NEXT

The Hilltoppers will host Liberty, the current Conference USA leader, this weekend at Nick Denes Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6 p.m. CT.