SALYERSVILLE INDEPENDENT — Magoffin County High School graduate Lucas Litteral contributed to the Western Kentucky University baseball team’s historic season, which concluded on Saturday, May 31.
After suffering a loss to Ole Miss in the NCAA Oxford Regional, WKU exited its latest season 46-14. It’s the second-most ever wins for the Hilltoppers.
As a junior, Litteral, a left-handed pitcher, appeared in 14 games for WKU, logging one start. The Magoffin County High School product pitched 22 innings and recorded 29 strikeouts. Litteral claimed two saves during his junior campaign.
WKU compiled an 18-9 record in Conference USA. The Hilltoppers finished one game shy of tying the 47-win 1980 team for the most wins in a season.
WKU won a conference tournament title for the first time since 2008 and captured its first CUSA Championship since joining the league in 2015. The Hilltoppers were the number two seed heading into tournament play – the highest ranking WKU has had since becoming a league member.
WKU appeared in its fifth NCAA Regional in program history and its first since 2009.
The Hilltoppers reached 40-plus wins for the sixth time in program history and the first time in 16 years. This marks the third consecutive season with 30 or more wins and the third year in a row the Hilltoppers have improved their win total.
WKU was one of the hardest teams to beat at home in the nation. The Hilltoppers posted a 30-3 record at Nick Denes Field – the most home wins of any Division I team this year and the most wins at home in a season in program history. Starting strong, WKU opened 23-0 at home, which was the longest home winning streak in the nation.
The Hilltoppers won 20 of their first 21 games. It was the best start in program and CUSA history. That also included a 15-game winning streak – the second-longest winning streak for the program.
The Hilltoppers entered the Top 25 in multiple national polls and were ranked as high as 17th in the Baseball America Poll – the highest national ranking in program history. This came after a series win over then-17th ranked Dallas Baptist and a sweep of Liberty.
WKU broke program records for strikeouts and stolen bases in a single season. Hilltopper base-stealers totaled 126 for the season, breaking the previous record of 109 set by the 1995 team. The WKU pitching staff totaled 513 strikeouts, exceeding last year’s record of 490. This also marks the first time the
Hilltoppers have struck out over 500 batters in a season.
Litteral will be among the experienced pitchers returning for WKU in the 2026 college baseball season.