Western Kentucky senior first baseman Kyle Hayes (30) celebrates hitting a home run with his teammates in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky junior left fielder Carlos Vasquez (25) bats in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky junior catcher Camden Ross (8) bats in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky senior second baseman Austin Haller (2) steals second as freshman short stop Reid Howard (3) bats in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky sophomore pitcher Drew Whalen (35) pitches to Middle Tennessee sophomore first baseman Hayden Miller (28) in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky senior first baseman Kyle Hayes (30) catches the ball as Middle Tennessee freshman right fielder Brett Rogers (13) tries to dive back to first in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky senior first baseman Kyle Hayes (30) his a home run in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky senior first baseman Kyle Hayes (30) celebrates hitting a home run with his teammates junior catcher Camden Ross (8) and junior designated hitter Thomas Marsala (31) in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky junior designated hitter Thomas Marsala (31) bats in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky junior right fielder Joe Siervo (32) sprints to first in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky junior third baseman Drew Barragan (21) bats in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky freshman short stop Reid Howard (3) runs to second in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky junior center fielder Ryan Wideman (33) bats in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky junior center fielder Ryan Wideman (33) sprints to first in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky sophomore pitcher Drew Whalen (35) pitches to Middle Tennessee sophomore second baseman Cooper Clapp (4) in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky senior first baseman Kyle Hayes (30) catches the ball as Middle Tennessee sophomore designated hitter Brett Vondohlen (18) crosses safely over first in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS

Western Kentucky sophomore pitcher Drew Whalen (35) pitches to Middle Tennessee junior left fielder Keaton Ray (6) in the Hilltoppers’ 9-1 over the Blue Raiders at Nick Denes Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS