Box Score
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Western Kentucky's pitchers kept Redbird batters guessing as the Hilltoppers struck out 20 Illinois State players in a 13-6 win for the hosts Friday afternoon at Nick Denes Field.
Western Kentucky (6-9) jumped on the Redbirds early with five runs over the first three innings. Illinois State (2-8) cut the lead to two with three runs in the top of the fourth inning, but the Hilltoppers got three runs back in the fifth and Illinois State never seriously threatened again as Western Kentucky won the opening game of a three-game series Friday.