WKU Softball suffered a 2-1 loss to Jacksonville State University Thursday in its first game of the 2025 Conference USA Softball Championship.
Freshman Erica Houge started at pitcher for the Hilltoppers, allowing four hits, two runs and three walks, striking out three in her six innings pitched.
An evenly matched first two innings saw no runs from either team, with both sides earning one hit and leaving at least one runner on base in the first.
JSU took the lead at the top of the third with a two-RBI home run to right field from junior catcher Makalyn Kyser, putting the Gamecocks up 2-0.
WKU freshman third baseman Katie Murphy scored on a wild pitch at the bottom of the third, putting the Hilltoppers on the board.
The Hilltopper defense stifled the Gamecock offense at the top of the fourth. Houge struck out the first batter she faced. JSU went down in order with a flyout to center field and a lineout to the shortstop, ending the inning after three batters.
WKU couldn’t connect at the bottom of the fourth, keeping the score at 2-1.
Effective defense from both teams allowed no runs in the fifth or sixth.
Sophomore Rylan Smith relieved Houge in the circle at the top of the seventh, allowing no runs and striking out one.
WKU couldn’t secure a run at the bottom of the seventh. JSU won the game 2-1.
“We didn’t get some timely hits that we needed,” Head Coach Amy Tudor said. “But we still have a chance. We’re still in it.”
Facing elimination, the Hilltoppers are set to face No. 6 Sam Houston at 3 p.m. on Thursday, just five hours after the first pitch in the JSU matchup.
