WKU Softball swept its final Conference USA series against Jacksonville State University, May 2 and 4.
The final game of the series was canceled due to inclement weather, shortening the three-game series to two.
The Hilltoppers are now 29-19-1 and 14-10-1 in conference heading into the postseason, securing the No. 2 spot in the 2025 CUSA Softball Championship.
Game 1
WKU’s 7-2 win over JSU on Friday clinched its spot in the 2025 CUSA championship tournament.
Sophomore Rylan Smith started in the circle, giving up one run on three hits and striking out six in her five innings pitched.
Effective defense from both sides kept the game scoreless through the first three innings.
JSU’s redshirt-junior outfielder Morgan Nowakowski ended the scoring drought in the top of the fourth with a home run to right-center.
WKU clapped back in the bottom of the fourth with sophomore center fielder Kendle White’s RBI double that scored senior catcher Randi Drinnon.
The game remained tied at 1-1 through the fifth.
Freshman Erica Houge replaced Smith at pitcher following the fifth. She allowed one run on one hit and walked one in her two innings.
An eventful sixth inning included seven runs from both teams. The Gamecocks kicked off the action at the top of the inning with an RBI single from junior catcher Makalyn Kyser that scored Nowakowski.
The Hilltoppers put on a six-run show for their home crowd at the bottom of the inning. Sophomore designated hitter Maci Masters’ two-RBI double gave the Hilltoppers the lead. Freshman left fielder Kennedy Stinson’s RBI double to left center field scored Masters. Stinson then found home plate herself. Kendle White’s bases-loaded RBI walk allowed freshman second baseman Charlotte Herron to advance home. The scoring in the sixth concluded with an unearned run from junior outfielder Kaytlan Kemp, giving WKU a 7-2 advantage.
The Gamecocks couldn’t connect in the top of the seventh, cementing the series-opening win for the Hilltoppers.
Game 2
WKU secured the series win over JSU with its 4-3 to open Sunday’s doubleheader.
JSU’s leadoff home run from sophomore outfielder Emma Elrod gave the Gamecocks an early lead.
JSU’s defense contained WKU’s offense at the bottom of the first. Three Hilltopper fly outs in just four hitters retired the inning.
The Hilltoppers secured a double play to open the second inning. Left fielder Kennedy Stinson caught a fly ball to left field and rocketed the ball to catch JSU’s freshman infielder Jaci Underwood retreating to first base. The Gamecocks stole the momentum as junior outfielder Ashley Phillips sent one over the fence and freshman outfielder Haleigh Cushingberry reached on freshman third baseman Katie Murphy’s throwing error.
Following the chaos, freshman Erica Houge relieved Smith in the circle and allowed no runs in the rest of the inning. In her 5.1 total innings pitched, she allowed one run on two hits and struck out one.
The Hilltoppers couldn’t find home plate in the second inning.
Another double play from WKU and a groundout to second base held JSU to no runs in the top of the third.
The Hilltoppers found their offensive rhythm in the bottom of the third. Sophomore shortstop Morgan Sharpe’s RBI triple scored Kendle White. Sharpe then scored off sophomore first baseman Annie White’s RBI single, tying the game at 2-2.
A hitless fourth inning kept the score at 2-2.
The Gamecocks couldn’t connect in the top of the fifth.
The Hilltoppers’ offense looked flawless in the bottom of the fifth. Stinson’s RBI single up the middle scored Kendle White, giving WKU its first lead of the game. Not long after, Masters’ RBI sacrifice fly to center field scored Annie White, putting the Hilltoppers up 4-2.
The Gamecocks got a run back in the top of the sixth with Kyser’s homer to center field.
JSU retired the bottom of the sixth with two groundouts and a flyout.
The Hilltoppers’ efficient defense retired the top of the seventh with two flyouts and a groundout, securing WKU’s game-two win and series victory.
WKU will host the 2025 CUSA Softball Championship at the WKU Softball Complex May 7-10. The Hilltoppers will play the winner of No. 3 JSU vs. No. 6 Sam Houston at noon Thursday, May 8, in the second round of the tournament.
