WKU Softball will travel to Troy, Alabama to compete in the Cardinal Classic February 14-16.
Looking to bounce back from an underwhelming season-opening tournament, the Hilltoppers are looking for victories against Southeast Missouri State, Eastern Illinois, Troy and Alabama State.
WKU went 1-4 last weekend. The Hilltoppers lost to EKU, split with Belmont, and lost twice to Georgia Tech.
Some of WKU’s best players of the weekend include redshirt junior outfielder Jenna Blanton and sophomore infielder Maci Masters.
Blanton hit .500 and led the team in hits (8) and runs (4). Masters hit .429 and led the team in RBIs (3).
Several freshmen competed in their first collegiate tournament including infielder Charlotte Herron and outfielder Kennedy Stinson.
Herron hit .214 and her RBI double led to Blanton’s second run of the Hilltoppers’ lone victory of the weekend. Stinson started in three out of the five games of the series and played in four. She hit .143 and combined for a .393 OPS.
Southeast Missouri State Softball will play in the Cardinal Classic as their 2025 season-opening tournament.
WKU took a 5-4 win over SEMO in their last faceoff in February 2022. Some returning key players include Second-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference first baseman Aubrie Shore and Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer Team pitcher Maddie Carney.
Shore was the only SEMO player to start in all 54 games of the 2024 season. She also led the Redhawks in RBIs (32), hits (54), and doubles (16). Carney had a 3.35 ERA in 2024 and pitched two complete games as a freshman.
Eastern Illinois started its 2025 season with a 2-3 record at the Incarnate Word Tournament in San Antonio, Texas.
The Hilltoppers took a 12-1 win against the Panthers in the teams’ last matchup in February 2024. Some standout players include senior shortstop Briana Gonzalez and junior third baseman Kendall Grover.
Gonzalez was selected by the OVC as the Panthers preseason player to watch. She started in all 57 games of the 2024 season and hit .299. Grover was the 2024 OVC Player of the Year and leader in home runs.
Troy Softball hosted the Trojan Classic to begin their 2025 season and went 2-3.
WKU last faced Troy in February 2020 and brought home a 3-2 victory. The Trojans are led by senior second baseman Taylor McKinney. She hit .444 in 2024 and was named the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Player of the Year.
Alabama State hosted the Stinger Classic to kick off the 2025 season but didn’t secure a win.
WKU’s last game against Alabama State dates back to May 2017 when the Hilltoppers won 12-3. Some distinguished players include junior infielder Alana Scott and freshman catcher/infielder Talee Sims.
In 2024, Scott held a .418 SLG and led the Hornets in assists with 105. Sims’ .500 BA and .571 SLG in the Stinger Classic earned her the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Softball Newcomer of the Week.
WKU will play SEMO on Feb. 14 at 9 am CT to kick off the Cardinal Classic.
Sports Reporter Adrianna Lein can be reached at adrianna.lein265@topper.wku.edu.
