WKU Softball started the season strong, going 4-1 at the “Bash in the Boro” in Georgia.
The Hilltoppers pitching led the way, allowing just five runs in five games and throwing three shutouts. Sophomore right-hander Erica Houge dominated when called upon, pitching for 16 of the 20 innings in the tournament. The pitching staff as a whole posted a 0.61 ERA on the weekend.
“Good to be coming home 4-1,” Head Coach Amy Tutor said. “Our pitching staff had a phenomenal weekend.”
The 4-1 start is the best mark through five games for the Hilltoppers since 2021.
Day 1
The Hilltoppers came out hot on the first gameday of the 2026 season, going 2-0 with wins over the University of North Carolina Greensboro (6-0) and Eastern Illinois (11-1). Their dominance started in the circle and was reinforced through their hitting. WKU recorded 13 strikeouts and scored 17 runs.
The entire Hilltopper pitching staff saw playing time, but most notably, Houge started in the Hilltoppers’ season opener against UNCG. In five innings, she recorded a career-high seven strikeouts and allowed just two hits.
Junior infielder Annie White led WKU’s run support on day one. She went 4-6 at the plate and recorded three total RBIs.
Junior infielder Morgan Sharpe took a page out of White’s book for game two. Against Eastern Illinois, she went 3-4 at the plate, along with a single-game team-high three RBIs.
Day 2
The Hilltoppers were much slower to start the second day of the Bash in the Boro. WKU split Saturday’s competition with a 4-2 loss against UNCG and a 1-0 win over Georgia Southern.
Senior right-handed pitcher Maddy Wood started in the circle for the Hilltoppers in game one, allowing two runs in five innings. Junior right-hander Rylan Smith relieved Wood and finished out the game, which went to two extra innings. She walked five batters in just four innings and allowed two lethal RBI hits in the ninth.
The Hilltoppers’ offense almost completely dropped off from the previous day. WKU scored more runs in the season-opener against UNCG (six) than all of Saturday’s runs combined (five). The Hilltoppers hit just .140 on the day. Against Georgia Southern, WKU left more runners on base (three) than total hits (two).
Houge was WKU’s only sign of relief on Saturday. She secured her first complete game and shutout win of the season by defeating Georgia Southern 1-0. She threw just 63 pitches, the most efficient complete game of her career. She limited the Eagles to just .130 on three hits.
Day 3
The Hilltoppers continued the momentum, defeating Eastern Illinois 2-0 in the lone Sunday matchup.
Houge capped off her dominant weekend with seven strikeouts, matching her career high. Smith added five of her own in relief and notched the first save of her career.
Junior hitter Maci Masters hit the first home run of her career in the second inning, and sophomore infielder Katie Murphy recorded an RBI to give the team a 2-0 lead.
WKU outscored the Panthers 13-1 in the two games in the series.
The Hilltoppers will look to continue the momentum next week as they travel to Mercer for the MUSB Invitational. The first of five games for the Hilltoppers is against Army on Friday, Feb. 13, at 9 a.m CT.
