Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Despite building a three-run lead on three occasions, Eastern Kentucky lost to Western Kentucky, 12-9, on Tuesday at Earle Combs Stadium.
 
Corey Conklin's three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning staked the home team to an early 3-0 lead.  It was Conklin's second of the season.  Ryland Kerr's two-out, two-run single to left field in the bottom of the fourth gave Eastern another three-run lead, 5-2.  When Chris Botsoe scored in the bottom of the fifth on a ground ball, the Colonels led 6-3.
 
A five-run sixth inning for the Hilltoppers (12-11) changed the trajectory of the game.  After two runs had scored, Jake Sanford hit a three-run home run to turn a one-run deficit into a two-run advantage, 8-6.
 
Sanford stretched the margin to six, 12-6, with a grand slam in the top of the seventh.  It was his third home run over a stretch of three innings. 
 
EKU (14-11) attempted to rally in the ninth.  A triple from A.J. Lewis brought in two runs.  Charlie Ludwick plated Lewis with a single to center field to make it 12-9.  Eastern brought the tying run to the plate with two outs, but couldn't push across any more.
 
Conklin finished 1-for-4 with a walk, a run and three RBIs.  Lewis was 2-for-5 with a run and two RBIs.
 
Sanford went 3-for-6 with four runs scored and eight RBIs for Western Kentucky.
 
EKU will host Dayton on Wednesday at 7 p.m.