Scott Pedersen

Vandy blows out WKU 17-6 to earn series split

College Baseball

Vanderbilt University avenged a Tuesday home loss to Western Kentucky University with a 17-6 blowout win Wednesday. Sophomore center fielder Kes Carter paced the Hilltopper offense with two hits and a home run. Senior shortstop Matt Payton, sophomore third baseman Casey Dykes and senior first baseman Jake Wells also had two hits in the game.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Taylor Haydel took the loss after allowing ten runs in just one inning. Junior right-handed reliever Scott Pedersen was the most successful WKU reliever with two and two-third scoreless innings out of the pen. WKU fell to 13-5 on the season. (Box Score)

BluGrass Baseball POG: Kes Carter — Carter continued his breakout 2010 campaign with another home run and two hits Wednesday. Carter also drove in two runs and scored one in five at-bats. On the season, Carter has a team-high five home runs and ranks second on the team with 24 RBI.

Western Ky. blows out Illinois-Chicago 14-4

College Baseball

Western Kentucky University rode three home runs to a 14-4 blowout of Illinois-Chicago in game one of a three-game series. The Hilltoppers received long balls from senior second baseman Matt Payton, junior left fielder Monte Ketchum and sophomore shortstop Logan Robbins. Ketchum, Robbins, senior first baseman Jake Wells, freshman designated hitter Ryan Huck, junior center fielder Kes Carter and sophomore left fielder Jared Andreoli each drove in multiple runs in the game.

Senior right-handed ace Matt Ridings earned his second win of the season after allowing four runs in six innings. Ridings surrendered six hits, struck out three and walked two. Junior right-handed reliever Scott Pedersen and freshman right-handed reliever Caleb Hanes held Illinois-Chicago scoreless over the last three innings. WKU improved to 7-2 on the season. (Box Score)

BluGrass Baseball POG: Monte Ketchum — In a game of standout offensive performances Ketchum’s was the best. The left fielder was 3-4 with a home run, three RBI and three runs scored in the game. Ketchum had no hits in four at-bats on the season entering the game.