Corey Littrell; UK photo by Chet White

Recaps from Wednesday Kentucky baseball action:

• Normal Saturday starting pitcher Taylor Haydel and first Ryan Huck launched Western Kentucky University‘s first home run of the season in the Hilltoppers’ 6-3 win over Lipscomb. WKU scored two runs in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Jared Andreoli and a single from senior catcher Matt Rice to break open a 3-3 tie. Haydel, a sophomore right-handed pitcher, surrendered one hit in two scoreless innings while striking out one to earn the win. Huck, a sophomore first baseman, was 2-5 with a home run, one RBI and one run scored in the game, and senior infielder Casey Dykes was 3-4 with one run scored. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Rye Davis picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning. (Box Score)
• Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell did not surrender a hit through the first six innings of his first collegiate start, and the avoided a late Eastern Michigan rally in a 5-2 win. Littrell picked up his first career win after surrendering two runs on two hits in six and one-third innings. He struck out three batters and walked two. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper, UK’s normal Friday night starting pitcher, earned the save with a perfect ninth inning. Senior shortstop Taylor Black was 2-2 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in the game. Junior first baseman Braden Kapteyn and sophomore catcher Luke Maile each tallied two hits in four at-bats. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: Matt Rice (WKU)

• Stats: 2-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB
• Honorable Mention: Ryan Huck (WKU), Casey Dykes (WKU), Taylor Black (UK), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Luke Maile (UK)

Pitcher of the day: Corey Littrell (UK)

• Stats: 6.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
• Honorable Mention: Phil Wetherell (WKU), Taylor Haydel (WKU), Rye Davis (WKU), Jordan Cooper (UK)