Western Kentucky’s baseball team dropped the series opener at Louisiana Tech 9-7 on Friday night at Pat Patterson Park in Ruston, Louisiana.

The Hilltoppers dropped to 32-17 overall and 13-6 in Conference USA, while the Bulldogs improve to 36-15 (13-6 CUSA).

Trailing 7-6 with two runners on and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Louisiana Tech hit a walk-off home run to clinch the series-opening win. It marks the first time all season WKU has lost a game leading after the sixth inning.

At the plate, juniors Blake Cavill and Caleb Marmo each hit home runs and had three RBIs apiece while junior Zayd Brannigan tallied an RBI of his own. Marmo along with junior Austin Haller were the only Hilltoppers to register multi-hit outings.

Sophomore Jack Bennett was strong through 5 1/3 innings of work, allowing four runs on four hits while striking out five. 

The Hilltoppers and Bulldogs will continue their series Saturday afternoon at Pat Patterson Park. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. CT.