Western Kentucky opened the 2026 baseball season with a doubleheader split against BYU on Friday at Nick Denes Field, falling 3-2 in Game 1 before responding with a 5-2 victory in Game 2.

In the opener, The Cougars struck first with a run in the top of the second inning.

WKU answered in the bottom half, evening the count on an RBI single from Ian Nguyen.

The score remained even until the sixth after an RBI single to left field from Lane Arroyos advanced Kiefer Tarnoki gave the Tops a 2-1 lead.

BYU rallied in the ninth, plating two runs to reclaim a 3-2 advantage.

WKU put the tying run on base in the bottom of the ninth but fell short of evening the score, falling 3-2.

Gavin Perry started on the mound for WKU and allowed just one run on one hit across four innings while striking out four batters. Mick Uebelhor followed with three scoreless frames and three strikeouts out of the bullpen. Dawson Hall struck out three in two innings of work.

The Tops tallied seven hits, leaving 13 runners on base. Nguyen led the way with two doubles and an RBI, while Parker Coley added a double. Reid Howard and Austin Haller each swiped two bases.

WKU jumped ahead early in Game 2 as Arroyos homered to right field to drive in two runs in the first inning.

The Hilltoppers added another in the fifth off a Camden Ross homer to right center to extend the lead to 3-0.

A two-run seventh inning pushed the WKU advantage to 5-0 as JP Acosta doubled to right center, driving in Howard and Ross.

BYU managed two runs in the ninth before WKU closed on a 5-2 victory.

Arroyos powered the offense early with a two-run homer, while Ross finished with two runs scored and an RBI. Acosta contributed a two-RBI effort, and Arroyos added another pair of hits on the afternoon.

Aaron Robertson earned the win in his first career start with WKU, striking out seven over four shutout innings while allowing just three hits. Jacob O’Day and Jude Favela combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings in relief. After BYU rallied for two runs in the ninth, Nathan Lawson recorded the final two outs to secure the save.

The Tops drew 10 walks in the game and capitalized on limited scoring opportunities, finishing with five runs on five hits to secure the split and even the series at 1-1.

WKU will continue its season-opening series with the Cougars on Saturday at Nick Denes Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.