An unsung hero provided late inning dramatics Tuesday night for the Toppers.

Freshman infielder Blake Crabtree drove home junior designated hitter Kori Petri in the bottom of the 10th inning to push the Toppers (9-3) past visiting Tennessee, 5-4.

“Everybody contributed and we all played great,” Crabtree said. “It just happened to be my time.”

Crabtree was put into the game in the top of the 10th as a defensive substitution, and he got the winning hit in just his second at-bat of the year.

“I’m just really happy for Blake,” Head Coach Chris Finwood said. “He hasn’t had a lot of opportunities yet, but he is a great team guy and he keeps working hard.”

Western went into the bottom of the ninth inning down 4-2, but a rally brought the game to extra innings. Sophomore center fielder Kes Carter had an RBI double and freshman left fielder Matt Borgschulte drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the tying run. Finwood said he was confident in his club to get the win as they headed into extra innings.

“We had (sophomore pitcher Rye Davis) going and he is pretty tough, so you’ve got to feel pretty good,” Finwood said.

Davis, the seventh Western pitcher of the game, pitched a scoreless 10th inning to earn the win for the Toppers. There were a total of 14 pitchers for the game.

Freshman Taylor Haydel pitched five innings for the toppers and only gave up one earned run.

“The thing that gets lost in all of this is Hydell,” Finwood said. “He had a really quality start for us and that was very encouraging.”

Going into the ninth inning, the Toppers were having trouble manufacturing runs and hitting with two outs, unlike the Volunteers. All seven of Tennessee’s hits game with two outs, and they were able to get two unearned runs for the game

“It didn’t look great, but this is a good group and they kept battling and fighting,” Finwood said.

Carter led Western with three hits, two runs and an RBI for the game.

Western now heads down to Mississippi St. on Wednesday for another game against an Southeastern Conference opponent. Crabtree said the ride will be much easier for him and his teammates after their win.