News Summary
Ryan Wideman and Drew Whalen, standout players from Western Kentucky University (WKU) Baseball, have entered the NCAA transfer portal following a historic season. Wideman, a record-setting player, earned accolades as CUSA Player and Newcomer of the Year, while Whalen was recognized as CUSA Pitcher of the Year. Their departure comes after the Hilltoppers’ success in clinching their first Conference USA title and securing their first NCAA Regional appearance since 2009. With a total of 12 players entering the portal, WKU Baseball looks to rebuild for the future.
Bowling Green, KY – Following a historic season for Western Kentucky University (WKU) Baseball, star players Ryan Wideman and Drew Whalen have entered the NCAA transfer portal. Their decision comes after significant individual accolades and team success during the season that saw the Hilltoppers clinch their first Conference USA (CUSA) title and make their first NCAA Regional appearance since 2009.
Ryan Wideman, who earned the title of CUSA Player and Newcomer of the Year, had an exceptional debut season with WKU, concluding with a regular-season batting average of .408. He achieved 89 hits, including 8 home runs, 6 triples, and 20 doubles, which led him to accumulate 64 runs batted in (RBI) and score 66 runs. Moreover, Wideman showcased remarkable speed on the base paths, achieving 42 stolen bases and setting a new program record with 45 stolen bases in a single season, surpassing the previous record held by Carlos Akins since 1995.
During the regular season, Wideman dominated the CUSA rankings, leading in key categories such as batting average, hits, triples, total bases (145), and stolen bases. Throughout the postseason, he maintained a stellar overall slash line of .398/.466/.652, totaling 97 hits and 10 home runs. His impressive performance placed him among the top five players in 12 offensive categories within the conference.
Drew Whalen also had an outstanding season that earned him the title of CUSA Pitcher of the Year. He completed the regular season with a 9-2 record and a 2.84 earned run average (ERA) over 69.2 innings pitched. Whalen’s strikeout ability was notable, as he recorded 79 strikeouts, averaging six or more strikeouts in nine out of his 14 starts. He ranked first in CUSA for wins, strikeouts looking, and placed second in both ERA and opposing batting average, which was a mere .223 against him.
WKU Baseball concluded its successful season with a 46-14 overall record, marking the second-highest number of wins in the program’s 106-year history. The team’s accomplishments this season were underscored by its championship run in CUSA, leading to a significant increase in attention towards the program.
In addition to Wideman and Whalen, a total of 12 players from the WKU Baseball team have entered the transfer portal, indicating a shift as the team looks to the future. Notable players entering the portal include senior Patrick Morris, junior utility player Thomas Marsala, and junior catcher Joey Baran.
The Hilltoppers wrapped up their postseason with a 4-2 record, which included a challenging matchup that ended with a loss to No. 15 Ole Miss in the NCAA Oxford Regional. With both Wideman and Whalen’s departure, WKU Baseball faces a pivotal moment for the upcoming seasons as they look to rebuild and maintain the momentum gained from this year’s success.
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Additional Resources
- WBKO: Two Star Hilltopper Baseball Players Enter Transfer Portal
- UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky Wildcats Baseball Target Ryan Wideman Transfer Portal
- BG Daily News: WKU Baseball Updates
- WKU Herald: Wideman and Whalen Headline Rush of WKU Baseball Portal Entries
- On3: ESPN Updates Transfer Portal Player Rankings for Kentucky
- Wikipedia: NCAA Transfer Portal
- Google Search: Baseball Transfer Portal
- Google Scholar: Baseball Transfer Portal
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- Google News: College Baseball
