In his first appearance on the mound since 2018, Western Kentucky starting pitcher Michael Darrell-Hicks led the Hilltoppers to a 9-3 victory in its season-opener against Valparaiso on Saturday at Nick Denes Field.
After sitting out the 2019 season due to injury, Darrell-Hicks picked up right where he left off, earning the starting nod and a win over the Crusaders after allowing just one hit and no runs while fanning eight batters in five innings.
Collin Lollar entered the game in relief of Darrell-Hicks in the sixth inning, collecting three strikeouts while allowing one hit and one run in two innings.