WKU Announces Yet Again Another Good News Tuesday Afternoon Following all 10 CUSA programs
WKU Baseball Pitching Coach Dillon Napoleon has been named Conference USA’s Assistant Coach of the Year, as announced by the league on Tuesday afternoon.
The honor was determined by votes from the head coaches of all 10 CUSA programs.
This marks a historic moment for WKU Baseball, as Napoleon becomes the first assistant coach in program history to receive this award.
Now in his third season at WKU, Napoleon joined Head Coach Marc Rardin on The Hill after previously serving three years as the pitching coach at Iowa Western Community College. Under his guidance, the Hilltoppers have developed into one of the premier pitching staffs in the nation, boasting a team ERA of 3.28—second-best in the country. Impressively, 11 of his pitchers have ERAs under 3.00, while 15 are under 5.00.
Napoleon’s leadership has helped elevate starting pitchers Drew Whalen and Jack Bennett to national prominence, both earning spots on the College Baseball Hall of Fame National Pitcher of the Year Watch List. WKU was the only Conference USA team with two pitchers on the list. Whalen was named CUSA Pitcher of the Year and earned First Team All-Conference USA honors, while Bennett received Second Team recognition.
In the bullpen, relievers Cal Higgins and Lucas Hartman were both named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List as two of the nation’s top closers—among just three total selections from CUSA. Hartman earned First Team All-Conference USA honors, while Higgins made the Second Team.
Napoleon’s pitching staff played a key role in a series win over #17 Dallas Baptist, holding one of the nation’s most explosive offenses to just eight runs and one home run across three games. WKU secured the series with a dominant 11-0 run-rule shutout in game two.
Napoleon and the Hilltoppers held practice Tuesday afternoon at Liberty Baseball Stadium as they prepare for the 2025 Conference USA Championship. #2 seed WKU will take on #7 New Mexico State in the opening round on Wednesday, May 21, with first pitch set for 11:30 a.m. CT.
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