News Summary
WKU Baseball is making its triumphant return to the NCAA Tournament, having secured the No. 3 seed in the Oxford Regional. They will face Ole Miss, aiming for a successful run after a strong season featuring standout performances. With resilience showcased during the CUSA Tournament, the Hilltoppers are eager to build on their momentum as they compete for a chance to advance further in the tournament.
Bowling Green, KY – WKU Baseball is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009, a significant achievement for the program. The Hilltoppers earned the No. 3 seed in the Oxford Regional, where they will face off against No. 10 national seed Ole Miss on May 30, 2025. The regional action runs from Friday, May 30, through Monday, June 2, 2025, and also features No. 2 seed Georgia Tech and No. 4 seed Murray State.
This marks the fifth appearance for WKU at NCAA Regionals. In their last appearance in 2009, the Hilltoppers were eliminated by Ole Miss in the regional championship game, losing by a score of 4-1. This year’s team has proven to be formidable, finishing the 2025 season with a remarkable record of 46-13 and securing second place in the Conference USA (CUSA) regular season standings.
WKU demonstrated exceptional resilience during the CUSA Tournament, achieving three walk-off victories, which fueled their path to the championship game against Jacksonville State. In that thrilling match, the Hilltoppers clinched victory with another walk-off, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure.
Senior right fielder Ethan Lizama emerged as a standout player, earning the title of Russell D. Anderson CUSA Tournament Most Valuable Player. His impressive performance included a batting average of .389, three home runs, and seven RBIs throughout the tournament, highlighted by a decisive walk-off double against New Mexico State.
Joining Lizama on the CUSA All-Tournament Team were fellow WKU players Ryan Wideman, Carlos Vasquez, and Austin Haller, further illustrating the depth and talent within the Hilltoppers lineup as they enter the NCAA Tournament.
In their first game of the Oxford Regional, WKU is set to take on Georgia Tech, with the scheduled first pitch at 3 p.m. CT. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+. The outcome of this match is crucial; the winner will have the opportunity to face the loser of the game between Georgia Tech and Murray State on June 1.
Ole Miss, as the No. 10 national seed, comes into this matchup after a surprising upset against Murray State, which has placed them in a position where they must win four games in just three days to advance further in the tournament. The Rebels concluded their regular season with a solid record of 41-20, but the recent loss adds pressure as they prepare for the showdown with WKU.
The NCAA Baseball Tournament utilizes a double-elimination format within the Oxford Regional, which means teams will have opportunities to continue competing even after one loss, adding a layer of excitement and unpredictability to the tournament.
As WKU Baseball embarks on this significant journey, the team and its supporters hope to capitalize on their strength and resilience, striving for a successful run in the NCAA Tournament that could lead them beyond the regional round and potentially back to the forefront of college baseball.
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Additional Resources
- WKU Sports: Hilltoppers Historic Season Ends
- WKU Herald: WKU Baseball Earns 3 Seed
- Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss Baseball vs WKU
- WNKY: WKU Drops Oxford Regional Opener
- Wikipedia: NCAA Baseball Tournament
