Championship Central | Box Score (PDF)
 
RUSTON – No. 3 WKU defeated No. 6 FIU 8-5 to move into semifinals on Saturday in the 2024 Super 1 Foods CUSA Baseball Championship on Friday afternoon from J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park on the campus of Louisiana Tech University.
 
Hilltopper closer Mason Burns recorded the win in relief going the final 3.2 innings. Burns fanned six Panthers and allowed just two hits.
 
Jaylin Rae belted a three-run shot in the bottom of the fourth to give the lead to WKU, 4-3. Blake Cavill ripped a go-ahead double in the gap in the seventh. Ethan Lizama then launched a two-run shot in the eighth to add on some insurance.  
 
WKU will face No. 2 DBU in the semifinals on Saturday at 9 a.m. CT. The Hilltoppers must defeat the Patriots twice to earn a spot into the championship final on Sunday.
 
The Panthers’ season comes to an end with a 27-29 overall record and an 11-13 mark in league play.