May 21, 2025

WKU Baseball Achieves Historic All-Conference Honors

News Summary

Western Kentucky University (WKU) made history in collegiate baseball by placing a league-high nine players on the 2025 All-Conference USA Baseball Teams. Junior outfielder Ryan Wideman was named CUSA Player of the Year, with Drew Whalen taking the Pitcher of the Year honor. Coach Marc Rardin earned the CUSA Coach of the Year title, marking a significant achievement for WKU’s baseball program. The team also recorded an impressive 42-12 season, showcasing their talent and dominance throughout the season.

Bowling Green, KY – Western Kentucky University (WKU) has made history in collegiate baseball by placing a league-high nine players on the prestigious 2025 All-Conference USA (CUSA) Baseball Teams. This remarkable achievement highlights the team’s outstanding performance throughout the season and showcases their depth and talent across various positions.

Among the distinguished players, junior outfielder Ryan Wideman received top honors as both the CUSA Player of the Year and the Newcomer of the Year. Additionally, sophomore pitcher Drew Whalen was named Pitcher of the Year, further cementing WKU’s dominance in the conference. The accolades extend to WKU’s head coach Marc Rardin, who earned the CUSA Keith LeClair Coach of the Year title, while pitching coach Dillon Napoleon was honored as the CUSA Assistant Coach of the Year. The award votes were compiled from the head coaches of the ten CUSA teams.

Three WKU players were recognized on the All-CUSA First Team: Ryan Wideman, Drew Whalen, and relief pitcher Lucas Hartman. Four other players secured spots on the All-CUSA Second Team: infielder Kyle Hayes, infielder Carlos Vasquez, starting pitcher Jack Bennett, and relief pitcher Cal Higgins. In addition, infielder Reid Howard and right-handed pitcher Taylor Penn were acknowledged on the CUSA All-Freshman Team.

Impressive Individual Performances

Ryan Wideman had an exceptional season, boasting a .408 batting average with 89 hits, eight home runs, six triples, 20 doubles, 64 RBIs, and 66 runs scored. He also showcased his speed on the base paths, setting a new WKU single-season record with 42 stolen bases, surpassing the previous record of 41 held by Carlos Akins since 1995. Wideman led CUSA in multiple categories, including batting average, hits, triples, total bases, and stolen bases, ranking in the top five for 12 offensive categories across the league.

Drew Whalen stood out as the Pitcher of the Year with a 9-2 record and a 2.84 ERA, accumulating 79 strikeouts over 69.2 innings pitched. His consistent performance during 14 weekend starts contributed significantly to the team’s success. Lucas Hartman also made a notable impact, achieving a 5-1 record and three saves while maintaining a 2.70 ERA in 18 appearances, including a career-high seven strikeouts in a single outing.

Infielder Kyle Hayes led conference play against CUSA opponents with a .398 batting average, while Carlos Vasquez made a strong comeback after a medical redshirt season to hit .377, recording 20 doubles and 35 RBIs. Jack Bennett had the lowest ERA in CUSA at 2.67 along with a 6-1 overall record, while Cal Higgins bolstered the bullpen with a 2.08 ERA and six saves.

Team Achievements and Historical Context

WKU finished the season with an impressive 42-12 record, marking the best in the program’s history and resulting in a remarkable 30 games over .500. Coach Marc Rardin’s leadership marked a historic first as he became the first CUSA Coach of the Year at WKU and the first coach in 44 years to win this esteemed honor. The Hilltoppers recorded 30 home wins, establishing a new program record for most home wins in a single season and achieving an outstanding Division I home record of 30-3.

The team’s early season success included starting with a flawless 23-0 home record, which became the longest winning streak in the country. Under Dillon Napoleon’s guidance, the WKU pitching staff ranked as the second-best in the nation with a 3.28 ERA, further exemplifying the team’s collective strength both offensively and defensively.

This historic recognition of WKU’s baseball players serves not only as a testament to their hard work and dedication but also shines a spotlight on the growing prominence of the baseball program at Western Kentucky University.

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