WKU Softball will take its four-game winning streak into a Conference USA series at Florida International University April 25-27.
The Hilltoppers have proved very effective in their recent competitions. They earned their first CUSA series sweep at home over New Mexico State University last weekend. They also defeated the University of Louisville in a 2-0 shutout on Tuesday.
The wins improved WKU’s overall record to 25-19 and conference record to 10-10. The Hilltoppers are sixth in CUSA standings.
In WKU’s win over UL, freshman pitcher Erica Houge held the Cardinals to zero runs on two hits in her first full-game performance. She holds a .249 opposing batting average and a 3.40 ERA. WKU’s 3.38 team ERA is fourth in CUSA.
Sophomore pitcher Rylan Smith started in all three games of the NMSU series. She allowed five runs in her 10.2 innings pitched across the weekend and held the Aggies to a .211 batting average.
Sophomore designated hitter Maci Masters remains the Hilltoppers’ offensive weapon. She leads the team with her .325 batting average. In CUSA, she is tied for fourth in RBIs (41) and tied for third in home runs (14).
Recently, freshman outfielder Kennedy Stinson has taken a page out of Masters’ book. In the NMSU series, she hit a grand slam in game two and totaled seven RBIs. She has seven homers and 31 RBIs on the season.
FIU was just swept in a CUSA series against the University of Texas at El Paso last weekend. The Panthers are 29-17 overall and have a losing streak of four. Their 11-10 conference record earned them the fifth ranking in CUSA.
FIU’s pitching staff is ranked seventh in CUSA with its 4.30 ERA.
Four Panthers are hitting above .300: sophomore infielder Paige Miller (.387), sophomore outfielder Kally Meredith (.364), senior outfielder Collier Peaden (.324) and junior utility player Kendall Catherwood (.310). Masters is the only Hilltopper hitting above .300.
The first pitches are scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. The series can be streamed on ESPN+.
Sports Reporter Adrianna Lein can be reached at [email protected].Â
