TROY, Ala. - The Western Kentucky University team erased a one-run deficit in the top of the eighth inning before Troy scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth and held on for a 12-9 win on Sunday afternoon at Riddle-Pace Field.
WKU (25-16, 10-8 Sun Belt Conference) over come three deficits in the first eight inning but failed to do so again in the top of the ninth.
Adam Bryant's three-run double in the bottom of the eighth put Troy (30-10, 14-4) back in front to stay after WKU tied the game for the third time on an RBI single by third baseman Casey Dykes in the top of the eighth.
WKU junior Phil Wetherell (0-2) worked 3-1/3 innings, allowing six runs - three earned - on eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Troy closer Tyson Workman (3-2) limited the Hilltoppers to one run on three hits with three strikeouts in the final 3-1/3 innings.
First baseman Ryan Huck finished the game 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs. Third baseman Casey Dykes also tallied three hits with a pair of RBIs. Left fielder Jared Andreoli went 2-for-4 with a home run and a two-run triple. His solo home run in the top of the fifth was the 200th hit of his career.
Troy took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning on a pair of back-to-back RBI singles by right fielder Drew Prichard and catcher Todd McRae.
WKU tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the second on a two-run home run by Huck, his third of the season and second of the weekend.
A solo home run by Andreoli in the top of the fifth, his third of the year, put the Hilltoppers in front 3-2.
The Trojans regained the lead 6-3 with four runs in the bottom of the fifth. First baseman Logan Pierce and center fielder Daniel Peterson each drove in a pair of runs with singles.
WKU sent nine batters to the plate in a five-run sixth inning. After center fielder Kes Carter scored on a throwing error by the third baseman, Huck's RBI single cut the Trojan lead to one before an RBI single by Dykes tied the game at 6-6. A two-run triple by Andreoli put the Hilltoppers in front 8-6.
Troy rallied with a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 8-8. Back-to-back RBI singles by Workman and Peterson accounted for the scoring.
A sacrifice fly by catcher Todd McRae put the Trojans back in front 9-8 in the bottom of the seventh.
WKU starter Brian Edelen allowed four runs on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts in 4-2/3 innings. Right-hander Rye Davis faced five batters and gave up two runs on two hits with while walking three.
Troy starting pitcher Jimmy Hodgskin allowed five runs - three earned - on four hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Left-hander Nathan Hill allowed three runs - none earned - on three hits with a strikeout in a third of an inning.
The Hilltoppers return home Tuesday to take on No. 3 Vanderbilt at 6 p.m. at Nick Denes Field before returning to the road for a three-game league series at Louisiana-Monroe.
Rankings based on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association collegiate baseball poll released Monday.
