Western Kentucky’s baseball team continued its four-game weekend series hosting Indiana with a doubleheader split on Saturday at Nick Denes Field. The Hilltoppers opened the day with a 3-1 loss to the Hoosiers before returning for Game 2 of the doubleheader and securing a 14-12 victory.

With the split, WKU moves to 7-5 overall and takes a 2-1 lead in the series with Indiana.

The Hoosiers struck first in the second inning of Game 1, using a stolen base and a pair of singles to manufacture a run.

Left-hander Aaron Robertson got the start on the mound and was sharp early, tossing six innings and allowing just one run on six hits while inducing 10 ground-ball outs to keep the Hilltoppers within striking distance throughout.

WKU evened the game in the fifth when Hayden Robbins launched a solo home run to left – his first of the season – to tie it at 1-1.

The game remained deadlocked until the eighth as Indiana capitalized on consecutive singles and a sacrifice fly to push across the go-ahead run.

The Hoosiers added an insurance RBI single later in the inning to take a two-run lead.

The Tops were unable to bridge the gap and dropped game two of the series, 3-1.

WKU’s offense was limited to four hits, with Robbins’ homer providing the only extra-base knock. Robertson’s performance on the mound highlighted the afternoon for the Tops – the lefty has now totaled 16 innings pitched for WKU through three starts and currently holds a 1.69 ERA.

In the nightcap, WKU plated four runs in the first inning to take an early 4-0 lead. A double to left center by Kyle Hayes advanced Lane Arroyos home for the Tops’ first run of the game. Reid Howard later singled to left center to drive in a run from JP Acosta and give WKU a 2-0 lead. A two-RBI double by Daniel Stewart brought home Camden Ross and Hayes and pushed the Hilltopper lead to four, 4-0 entering the second.

A Ross ground out in the second plated Arroyos and gave WKU a 5-0 lead heading into the third.

After one run by Indiana in the top third, the Tops responded with another pair of runs in the bottom of the frame.

Ian Nguyen singled to plate Hayden Nazarenus and Arroyos later doubled to bring home Nguyen and push the Tops’ lead to 7-1 entering the fourth.

The Hoosiers answered with a four-run fourth to narrow the lead to two, 7-5, entering the bottom of the frame.

WKU cashed in on another three runs in the bottom of the fourth, as a Howard ground out scored Acosta and gave WKU am 8-5 lead. Nazarenus followed with a two-RBI homer to right, pushing the Hilltopper lead back out to five, 10-5.

After the Hoosiers managed another pair of runs in the bottom fifth to bring the count to 10-7, WKU once again responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. Hayes grounded out to second to plate Nguyen, and Arroyos later scored on a wild pitch to give WKU a 12-7 lead entering the sixth.

Indiana cut the WKU lead to two, 12-10, after advancing a runner home on a throwing error and later homering to drive in two runs.

Hayes doubled to right field to score Arroyos, and a sac-fly by Ross scored Acosta to give the Tops a 14-10 lead entering the eighth.

Indiana cut the WKU lead back down to two, 14-12, after a pair of runs in the top of the eighth.

Nathan Lawson closed the game in the ninth for the Hilltoppers, striking out three and allowing one hit and one earned run through two innings pitched.

Arroyos fueled the WKU offense with a 3-for-3 performance, scoring four runs and reaching base five times. Acosta also went 3-for-3 at the plate, scoring three runs. Hayes drove in three runs on the night, while Nazarenus added a two-RBI homer and two RBIs. Conner Wolf provided stability out of the bullpen, throwing 2 1/3 innings with four strikeouts while allowing just two hits and no earned runs.

WKU and IU combined for 26 runs and 28 hits in the nightcap. WKU’s pitching staff walked only one batter for the game compared to IU’s nine.

WKU wraps its four-game weekend series hosting Indiana on Sunday at Nick Denes Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

GAME CHANGE

Due to potential inclement weather in Cincinnati, Ohio, the midweek contest between WKU and Cincinnati will now be played Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Nick Denes Field.

The game was originally slated for 3 p.m. CT in Cincinnati.