After going a perfect 4-0 in last weekend’s Spring Fling, the WKU Lady Topper Softball team started this weekend’s Hilltopper Spring Classic with a pair of losses.

The first loss came to Green Bay (1-1) and the second came at the hands on Northern Iowa (10-5). With the two losses, WKU is now 9-5-1 on the season.

In its first game of the season, Green Bay scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to take a one-run lead over the Lady Toppers. In the end, Green Bay was able to hold on for a final score of 6-5.

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WKU jumped out to an early lead scoring a run in both the first and second inning.

Green Bay tied things up with a pair of runs in the fifth. However, the Lady Toppers responded with a big inning in the bottom of the sixth, scoring a trio of runs. It would not be enough as the team conceded four runs in the seventh and ultimately the game.

Freshman pitcher Hannah Miniard received the first loss of her young career after winning her first four games. Miniard only pitched 1.2 innings but allowed four runs on four hits.

Junior infielder Preslie Cruce and sophomore outfielder Brooke Holloway each went 2-for-4 at the plate during the game. Freshman catcher Marley Harmon had two runs batted in for WKU in a losing effort. 

In the second game WKU sent senior pitcher Emily Rousseau to the mound against the Panthers of Northern Iowa.

Rousseau (5-5) went six innings and gave up six hits and five runs while striking out seven.

Northern Iowa had two home runs on the night and took control of the game in the fourth inning by scoring two runs to take a 3-2 lead. The Panthers never looked back after that and took the game with a final score of 6-3.

Senior infielder Olivia Watkins had two hits in the contest while fellow classmate and infielder Amanda Thomas had two RBI’s.

The team will be back in action Saturday with another doubleheader. The first game will put WKU against Indiana State at 1:30 p.m. Immediately following that game, the Lady Toppers will play Wright State.

Both games will be played at Buchanon Park, located on Nashville Road.