Series Opener at Bob Hannah Stadium
The Hilltoppers opened their series against the Blue Hens on Thursday evening at Bob Hannah Stadium, falling 7-3 after a sluggish start that saw Delaware seize an early three‑run advantage before WKU rallied late.
WKU struck first when Austin Haller led off with a base hit and Reid Howard scored on Camden Ross’s double to left field, giving the Hilltoppers a 1-0 lead before the visitors answered with three runs in the home half of the first inning.
Delaware extended their advantage with additional runs in the second and third innings, pushing the score to 5-2, and a two‑run fifth inning stretched the lead to six before WKU could muster a comeback.
In the sixth inning, a misfielded groundball allowed Parker Coley to reach and later score, narrowing the gap to 7-3, but the Hilltoppers could not find further traction.
Starter Gage Olsen took the mound for WKU, while reliever Ka'olu Holt delivered a stellar six‑inning performance, striking out seven batters, allowing just five hits and two earned runs while walking only two.
Offensively, Haller finished 2‑for‑4 with a walk and an RBI, Ross contributed a double, an RBI and two walks, and Lane Arroyos added two hits to the effort.
Looking Ahead to Game Two
The series continues on Friday with a 4:05 p.m. CT first pitch, streamed live on ESPN+ and audio available through the Varsity Network, before a 10 a.m. CT finale on Saturday.