WKU Baseball lost to Missouri State 15-10 on April 17 at Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri. The Hilltoppers now have a record of 19-19 overall and are 6-10 in Conference USA play.
The game saw several lead changes early on. WKU took an initial lead in the second inning when Cael Frost hit a sacrifice fly to score Parker Coley. Missouri State responded with two runs in the bottom of the same inning. The teams traded leads through the third and fourth innings, with contributions from Austin Haller, Hayden Robbins, Lane Arroyos, JP Acosta, and Manny Alberto helping WKU build a three-run advantage by the fifth.
Missouri State’s offense surged late in the game, scoring six runs across the sixth and seventh innings to take control. Daniel Stewart hit his fifth home run of the season as a pinch-hitter for WKU in the ninth inning. Dalton Fiveash drove in two more runs with a double later that inning, but it was not enough for a comeback.
Aaron Robertson started on the mound for WKU and pitched four innings with three earned runs allowed and two strikeouts. Relievers Mick Uebelhor, Trey Reinburg, Ka’olu Holt, and Conner Wolf also appeared out of the bullpen.
JP Acosta led WKU’s offense going four-for-four at bat with three runs scored—his best performance this season—and has now had multiple hits nine times this year. Lane Arroyos recorded his eighteenth multi-hit game of the season while Manny Alberto achieved his fifth two-hit game—all coming during conference play.
Game two between WKU and Missouri State is scheduled for Saturday, April 18 at Hammons Field starting at 3 p.m., available via ESPN+ streaming.
