Lady Toppers blank Redhawks in Spring Fling

Austin Lanter

The WKU softball team rattled off 13 hits and scored seven runs as they shut out Miami (OH), 7-0, Saturday in their second game of the Holiday Inn Hilltopper Spring Fling.

With the win, WKU moves to 7-4-1 on the season while Miami (OH) falls to under .500 for the season at 3-4.

“I think it was consistent from pitching to fielding to hitting,” coach Amy Tudor said. “I felt we brought all parts of our game. The other part that doesn’t get talked about a lot is base running. We did a nice job base running.”

WKU opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. Junior outfielder Shawna Sadler led off the inning with a single.

Then, with two outs, senior outfielder Kelsie Mattox sent the Redhawk offering into left field to score Sadler from second.

A couple batters later, with runners on second and third, junior infielder Preslie Cruce came through with a double to score two more runs and push the Lady Topper lead to three.

The next inning WKU loaded the bases with only one out but the Redhawk pitcher Paige Myers retired the next two Lady Toppers to escape from trouble.

“At times I feel we did a good job of converting when runners were on, but I know we did leave quite a few (runners) on the bag,” Tudor said. “That’s one thing we want to talk about is producing runs. Overall I thought we did a nice job today.”

WKU freshman pitcher Hannah Miniard held the Redhawks hitless until the fourth inning before allowing a leadoff single. The Redhawks loaded the bases in the inning but Miniard and the defense were able to work out of trouble.

Overall Miniard pitched a complete game, only allowing one hit while striking out six.

“Every day she’s getting better and more experienced,” Tudor said. “I’m very happy with her composure on the mound. I thought she did a great job.”

The Lady Toppers added another run in the fourth inning courtesy of an RBI from senior infielder Olivia Watkins.

The team rounded out its scoring in the sixth inning with three more runs, two of which came off a double from Sadler. Sadler finished the day 3-for-4 with two RBI’s and Cruce also had a pair of RBI’s in the game.

WKU will round out the Spring Fling Sunday with a doubleheader. The first game will be against Canisius at 10 a.m., who the Lady Toppers defeated 8-1 Friday. The second game will put the team against the Bradley Braves with first pitch at 3 p.m.