WKU Softball loses two games in series against Miami

Allie Schallert

WKU outfielder Kasia Parks (4) celebrates scoring a point for the Hilltoppers while cheering on her teammate freshman utility Kaytlan Kemp (1) for hitting a triple during the game against the University of Akron at the WKU Softball Complex on March 5, 2023. WKU won 5-0.

Camden Bush

WKU Softball hosted the Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks in a three-game series March 11-12. The Hilltoppers dropped two of the three games.

Despite the series loss, senior Taylor Sanders had an outstanding series. Sanders tallied eight hits and seven RBIs over three games. 

 

Game 1

The Hilltoppers began the weekend Saturday with a 15-7 win over Miami (Ohio) University in the first game of a doubleheader. 

WKU began the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single to take an early 1-0 lead.

Miami quickly responded with single runs in the second and third innings, on a solo homer and an RBI single to make it 2-1. 

Junior Kelsey Schmidt responded for the Hilltoppers with a three-run home run in the bottom of the third to take a 4-2 lead. 

Fifth year Faith Hegh added to WKU’s lead the following inning with another three-run blast, to make it 7-2. 

The RedHawks answered with a five-run fifth inning to tie the game 7-7. Hegh responded in the bottom of the inning with her second three-run home run to make it 10-7

The Hilltoppers blew the game open with five more in the sixth to claim a 15-7 victory. 

Hegh carried the Hilltopper offense in game one of the series, going 3-4 with two homers and seven RBIs. 

 

Game 2

The Hilltoppers dropped their second game of the weekend on Saturday evening to the RedHawks 8-5

The RedHawks got off to a quick start with single runs in the first and second innings on an RBI triple and an RBI single, making the score 2-0. 

Miami added to their lead the following inning with a three run homer to make it 5-0. 

The RedHawks blew the game open in the fifth with an RBI triple and a two-run home run to make the game 8-0.

Sanders cut into the deficit for the Hilltopppers with a two-run homer in the fifth and a three-run homer in the sixth. However, it was not enough as Miami claimed an 8-5 victory. 

Sanders put together a huge performance for WKU despite the loss, tallying two homers, a double and five RBIs. 

 

Game 3

WKU dropped the series Sunday with another loss to Miami 8-4. 

WKU’s offense got out to a quick start tallying three runs in the first on an RBI single, Sac Fly and groundout, to make the score  3-0. 

The RedHawks responded with a two-run homer in the top of the second. WKU answered with an RBI groundout in the bottom of the second making the game 4-2. 

Miami rallied in the seventh inning for six runs on a grand slam and a two-run homer to take an 8-4 victory. 

Sanders put together another solid performance, going 2-4 at the plate. 

The Hilltoppers will continue the season by hosting Indiana University March 13 at 6 p.m. CST. 

Sports reporter Camden Bush can be reached at [email protected].