WKU Softball dropped two of three games in its Conference USA series at Middle Tennessee State University April 11-13.
The Hilltoppers struggled to bring players home this weekend. Across the three games, WKU left 25 runners on base.
Despite the struggling offense, sophomore Rylan Smith set a new career-high in single-game strikeouts with 12 in the Hilltoppers’ lone win in game two.
WKU now sits at 21-18 on the season and 7-10 in CUSA. The Hilltoppers are eighth in the CUSA standings.
Game 1
WKU dropped Friday’s game against MTSU 5-4 in a tight matchup.
Effective pitching on both ends allowed no runs in the first four innings.
The scoring drought ended with sophomore shortstop Morgan Sharpe’s RBI single in the top of the fifth. Her hit scored sophomore designated hitter Maci Masters putting the Hilltoppers on the board.
The Blue Raiders quickly responded in the bottom of the fifth. A home run and a three-RBI homer gave MTSU a 4-1 lead.
The sixth inning saw even more action. In the top, freshman right fielder Kennedy Stinson sent one over the fence, and Masters’ two-RBI single scored sophomore center fielder Kendle White and freshman third baseman Katie Murphy. The Hilltoppers’ three runs on three hits tied the game at 4-4.
MTSU wasted no time taking back the lead. A homer in the bottom of the sixth put the Blue Raiders up 5-4 concluding the game’s scoring.
Freshman Erica Houge started in the circle for the Hilltoppers. She went five innings, allowing four runs, five hits, three walks and striking out three. Sophomore Rylan Smith replaced Houge in the sixth. In her lone inning, she allowed one run on one hit and struck out three swinging.
Game 2
Smith’s extraordinary performance on Saturday led to WKU’s 2-1 victory over MTSU.
The first inning was the most eventful offensively. In the top, Masters’ RBI single scored Kendle White. In the bottom, MTSU’s bases-loaded walk tied the game at 1-1.
The score remained 1-1 through the fifth inning.
In the top of the sixth, senior catcher Randi Drinnon’s RBI single scored sophomore first baseman Annie White giving the Hilltoppers the lead and the win.
Smith paved the way for WKU’s success. She pitched a full seven innings and allowed just one hit and one run. She also struck out a total of 12 MTSU batters, breaking her career record for single-game strikeouts.
Prior to the series, MTSU held the longest home-run streak in the NCAA with 22 games. That streak extended to 23 in game one. Smith’s exceptional pitching in game two, however, broke that streak.
Game 3
WKU dropped its final series game against MTSU 4-3.
The teams were very evenly matched in game three. The Hilltoppers combined for six hits and the Blue Raiders for seven hits. Both teams also hit two homers and left seven runners on base.
Stinson’s two-RBI homer in the top of the second put the Hilltoppers on the board.
The Blue Raiders took back the lead in the bottom of the third with a home run, an RBI double and an RBI single.
Freshman outfielder Macy Gregor’s homer in the top of the fifth tied the game at 3-3.
The Blue Raiders’ walk-off homer in the bottom of the seventh secured the series loss for the Hilltoppers.
The Hilltoppers are back in action with a midweek game at the University of Kentucky on Tuesday, April 15.
Sports Reporter Adrianna Lein can be reached at adrianna.lein265@topper.wku.edu.
