Despite a 4-for-5 performance at the plate from right fielder Jake Sanford and infielder Davis Sims’ second home run of the season, Western Kentucky’s baseball team couldn’t avoid a three-game sweep as Memphis earned a 10-4 win Sunday at Nick Denes Field.

WKU left-hander Dalton Shoemake made his second start in as many weeks but was tagged for eight hits – seven singles – and six runs in 3 1/3 innings. Halfway through the game, the Hilltoppers trailed 8-1 before making some noise in the bottom of the fifth.

Shortstop Kevin Lambert – who went 2-for-3 and was one of four WKU hitters with multiple hits on the day – started the inning with a line drive into right-center. He scored on Sims’ one-out homer.

Then, after Sanford lined his second double of the day off the center-field wall, designated hitter Dillon Nelson slapped a hit up the middle to make it an 8-4 game. WKU infielder Jack Wilson then delivered a two-out single to put runners on the corners for catcher Matt Phipps.

The Tigers made a pitching change to righty Bailey Wemberly, who Phipps greeted with a 3-2 line drive to right-center field. WKU would have scored two more runs with Wilson running on the pitch, but Memphis right fielder Keith Stepter made a diving catch to rob the Hilltoppers and maintain a four-run lead for the Tigers.

Memphis added one more in each of the eighth and ninth innings.

The Hilltoppers will visit Kentucky (11-4) on Wednesday in Lexington. Game time is 3 p.m. CT.{&end}