WKU Softball falls in series against Charlotte

Allie Schallert

The WKU softball team gathers together before the start of the game against the University of Akron at the WKU Softball Complex on March 5, 2023. WKU won 5-0.

Jake McMahon

WKU Softball (21-12) lost two of three games in their weekend series against the Charlotte 49ers (21-14), April 1-2 at the WKU Softball Complex.

 

GAME 1

WKU took their lone win of the weekend in game one shutting out the 49ers 3-0.

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Junior Katie Gardner had a dominant performance in the circle. Gardner collected ten strikeouts and only gave up one hit in her complete game shutout. 

WKU scored all three runs in the third inning. Junior Brylee Hage drove in the first run of the game with a sac fly. Junior TJ Webster and senior Taylor Davis scored the next two following a Charlotte throwing error.

No other runs came across in the game as the Lady Toppers won 3-0.

 

GAME 2

Charlotte returned the favor in the conclusion of the Saturday doubleheader dominating the Lady toppers 11-0. 

Charlotte started quick in game two scoring five runs in the top of the first.

WKU was forced to go to the pen early as the 49ers brought another across in the top of the second, 6-0. 

Charlotte struck big in the fifth with two, two-run bombs followed by an RBI triple that eventually run-ruled the game, 11-0.

 

GAME 3

Charlotte took the rubber match of the series 6-3.

Charlotte jumped to an early 1-0 lead with a leadoff homer in the first.

Charlotte continued to add to their lead in the second with back-to-back home runs making it 3-0. 

WKU finally responded in the bottom of the fourth. Junior TJ Webster hit a rare 3-RBI inside the park home run to tie the ballgame up 3-3.

Charlotte answered quickly in the top of the fifth with an RBI double to make it 4-3.

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Charlotte scored two runs of insurance in the top of the sixth with a two-run bomb putting the Lady Toppers behind 6-3. 

WKU was unable to achieve a late comeback, as they dropped the game 6-3.

 

WKU will host the Indiana Hoosiers Tuesday, April 4 at the WKU Softball Complex. 

 

Sports reporter Jake McMahon can be reached at [email protected].