WKU Softball secured its first Conference USA series sweep over New Mexico State University April 17-19.
Sophomore pitcher Rylan Smith started in every game of the three-game series. Freshman left fielder and reigning CUSA Freshman of the Week Kennedy Stinson lived up to her title with a grand slam in game two and seven RBIs across the series.
The Hilltoppers are now 24-19 on the season and 10-10 in CUSA.
Game 1
WKU’s 6-2 win over NMSU started its home series with a bang.
Aggressive offense and effective defense made way for the Hilltopper victory. WKU utilized all nine hitters of its lineup in just the first inning. Smith also held the Aggies to two runs on five hits and struck out four in her seven innings pitched.
The first inning was the most eventful of the game. A two-RBI homer put NMSU on the board in the top of the first.
WKU responded in the bottom of the first with five runs on five hits. Stinson got the ball rolling for the Hilltoppers with her RBI single. Freshman right fielder Macy Gregor’s two-RBI single gave WKU the lead. An unearned run from sophomore first baseman Annie White and an RBI double from senior catcher Randi Drinnon put the Hilltoppers up 5-2.
Smith held the Aggies to no more runs the rest of the game.
The Hilltoppers found home plate for the final time in the bottom of the fifth. Stinson’s home run solidified WKU’s series-opening win.
Game 2
WKU clinched its CUSA series win over NMSU with its 11-3 run-rule win Saturday.
The Hilltoppers’ offense couldn’t miss in game two. The team combined for 11 runs on nine hits and hit .429.
Smith started in the circle, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out one in her 1.2 innings pitched.
The Hilltoppers jumped to an early lead in the bottom of the first with a grand slam from Stinson.
The Aggies responded in the top of the second with back-to-back homers, cutting WKU’s lead in half. After another hit from NMSU, freshman Erica Houge replaced Smith in the circle. In her 3.1 innings, she allowed one run on two hits and struck out two.
WKU built its momentum in the bottom of the second with White’s RBI single and sophomore shortstop Morgan Sharpe’s unearned run.
Freshman third baseman Katie Murphy gave the Hilltoppers a 7-2 lead with her RBI single in the bottom of the third.
WKU secured the run-rule in the bottom of the fourth with White’s RBI double, sophomore Maci Masters’ two-RBI homer and Drinnon’s RBI single, putting the Hilltoppers up 11-2.
NMSU scored its final run in the top of the fifth with an RBI single, but it was no match for WKU’s lead.
Game 3
WKU earned its series sweep over NMSU with its 3-1 win to close the series.
In her third and final start of the weekend, Smith pitched two innings. She allowed one run on two hits and struck out two.
Stinson’s RBI single in the bottom of the first scored Sharpe to put the Hilltoppers on the board.
Smith felt the effects of starting three consecutive games in the top of the second. She started limping and grabbing at her left knee. She walked the next NMSU batter but ultimately stayed in the game.
The Aggies tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the third with a homer to right field. After an NMSU single up the middle, Houge relieved Smith in the circle and struck out the first Aggie batter she faced. WKU also caught two NMSU runners stealing second in the top of the third.
The score remained 1-1 through the bottom of the third and the fourth.
The Hilltopper defense retired the first NMSU batters in the top of the fifth. Houge struck out the first two, and the third grounded out to third base.
WKU couldn’t find home in the bottom of the fifth, keeping the score tied at 1-1.
The Hilltoppers’ effective offense in the bottom of the sixth started when Masters sent one over the wall to the parking structure. Back-to-back singles from Gregor and freshman second baseman Charlotte Herron immediately followed. The action in the sixth concluded with Drinnon’s RBI bunt that scored junior pinch runner/outfielder Kaytlan Kemp.
NMSU couldn’t connect in the top of the seventh, concluding the game and the series sweep for WKU.
“We’re getting hot at the right time,” Houge said. “This is when we really need it most, and we feel good.”
The Hilltoppers will play a midweek game at the University of Louisville on Tuesday, April 22.
Sports Reporter Adrianna Lein can be reached at [email protected].
