BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Senior Tyler Barnett went 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored, leading the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team past in-state rival Western Kentucky, 9-5, Wednesday night in baseball’s version of the Battle of the Bluegrass. With the win, the Colonels even their record at 13-13-1, while the Hilltoppers drop to 18-13.
The Colonels tied it up at 1-1 in the top of the third when an Anthony Ottrando sacrifice fly plated senior Joe Oliver. After the Hilltoppers added another run in the fourth, the Colonels tied it again in their half of the fifth when Ottrando again provided a key RBI, ripping a single through the left side that scored Barnett and knotted the game at two apiece.
The Colonels broke the game open in the top of the fifth. Junior Tyler Rehmel led off the inning with his third home run of the season, a solo shot to right field. After freshman Jayson Langfels walked, junior Matt Davis laid down a bunt single that advanced Langfels to second. Oliver then moved both runners forward with a bunt, and Barnett followed that up with a two-run triple down the right field line. Freshman Ryan Faidley scored Barnett with a sacrifice fly to right center, and the Colonels led 6-2 when the inning finally ended.
The Hilltoppers would get one back in their half of the sixth; however, the Colonels tacked on three more in the eighth to distance themselves again. With one out in that inning, Barnett singled and advanced to second on an error in the outfield. Faidley then plated Barnett with a single of his own, and was advanced to second by yet another single, this one off the bat of junior Aaron Barrows. Ottrando then picked up his third and fourth RBIs of the day, bringing home Faidley and Barrows with a double to right center.
The Hilltoppers got two in the eighth off freshman Paul Duncan; however, sophomore Jim Clancy shut things down in the ninth for the Colonels, retiring the side in order and ending the game.
It was the Colonels’ second straight win over the Hilltoppers dating back to last season when they beat them in Richmond, 16-11.
Senior McKenzie Willoughby started on the mound for EKU. The veteran went two innings and allowed one run on four hits, while striking out two batters. Sophomore Chris Hord pitched a hitless third inning, and gave way to senior Michael Mulholland in the fourth, who allowed a run on two hits and a walk. Junior David Owens (2-0) made quick work of the Hilltoppers in the fifth, retiring the side in order and picking up the win for the Colonels.
Freshman Michael Martinez pitched the sixth and gave up a run on four hits; however, he struck out two straight batters to end the inning and a potential Hilltopper threat. Freshman Jay Embree came on for Martinez in the seventh, inheriting men on second and third. In only his second appearance of the season, the freshman got the first man he faced to pop up to second baseman Rehmel, who fired it home to catch Hilltopper shortstop Terrance Dayleg while he was trying to tag up and score. Embree then gave way to Duncan who pitched his way out of the seventh and into the eighth before being replaced by freshman Patrick Cooper. Cooper walked two but didn’t allow a run, and Clancy pitched a perfect ninth inning.
Colby Beach (1-1) received the loss for the Hiltoppers.
At the plate, the Colonels were led by Barnett and Ottrando, who went 2-for-3 with four RBI. Rehmel also had a good day at the plate, going 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
The baseball Colonels return to action this weekend when they travel to Martin, Tenn. to take on the Skyhawks in a three game conference series.
