WKU Softball is off to its best start since the 2022 season, going 5-0 in the Hilltopper Spring Fling, to start the season 15-3.

“We try to build on things we do well and also work on things I think we need to focus on more heading into the conference. A good preseason for us, so we are looking forward to conference,” Head Coach Amy Tudor said.

Sophomore right-hander Erica Houge threw a no-hitter against IU Indy on day three. The no-hitter is the first one for the Hilltoppers in seven years.

The Hilltoppers’ pitching continues to impress, holding teams to just 10 runs in five games. On day three of the weekend, WKU held IU Indy scoreless, their fifth time to do so this season.

“I think the whole staff has done a really good job, obviously, Erica was the icing on the cake. I thought all of the other pitchers threw really well this weekend. I’m real proud of our staff,” Tudor said.

Behind the defense, the bats continue to put up runs in a big way, finishing the weekend with 41 runs, 13 of which were home runs.

“Finding the good pitches is half the battle. We have really good athletes who put in a lot of time. I think a big part of that is pitch selection. Just continue to be ourselves and come out ready to play,” Tudor said.

Day 1

A monumental opening day for the Hilltoppers included two run-rule wins over Illinois (12-3) and IU Indy (16-2).

WKU’s offense was simply unreal. The Hilltoppers posted 25 total hits while their opponents collected just seven. They also hit an outstanding .463 on the day.

Three players from the WKU pitching staff saw playing time on Friday. Junior right-hander Rylan Smith started the day in the circle against Illinois. Her complete game included three hits, three walks and four strikeouts.

Senior right-hander Maddy Wood started against IU Indy. Despite only throwing three innings, she allowed just one hit and struck out four. Sophomore right-hander Delainey Bargfrede replaced Wood and finished the game. She allowed three hits and two earned runs in two innings.

Junior infielder Annie White led WKU’s offense, going 6-7 at the plate with eight RBIs and two home runs.

In their win over IU Indy, the Hilltoppers hit a whopping six home runs, which broke the program record and tied the Conference USA record for homers in a single game. Among those was junior infielder Morgan Sharpe’s first career home run.

WKU’s game-two win also marked Head Coach Amy Tudor’s 600th career win, the majority of which she has recorded during her 13 seasons at WKU.

“It’s great for us coming back from last year, being so young and not hitting as well as we knew we could, and then coming up this year and hitting really, really well. It’s a great confidence boost for us,” Annie White said.

Day 2

The Hilltoppers kept their momentum going, still gaining two wins over Illinois (2-1) and Ball State (6-4, 10 innings) despite the more evenly matched competition.

Game one was a pitching duel. Houge led WKU’s defense from the circle, limiting Illinois to only two hits and one earned run. Illinois’ lefty Abby Sabalaskey gave up 9 hits but still held WKU to just two earned runs. Against her, the Hilltoppers hit just .176 with runners on base and .091 with runners in scoring position.

Sophomore infielder Katie Murphy went 2-2 at the plate against Illinois and scored WKU’s game-winning run in the bottom of the fourth.

Smith earned her second start of the weekend in game two against Ball State. She gave up an RBI groundout in the top of the first, which put WKU in a deficit for the first time of the weekend. Junior outfielder Kendle White was quick to respond, hitting a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first.

Smith allowed another home run in the top of the third – this one a two-RBI dinger – which gave the lead back to Ball State. An RBI single from WKU’s junior infielder Maci Masters in the bottom of the fourth brought the Hilltoppers within one.

Wood replaced Smith in the circle at the top of the sixth. She threw just one inning after giving up an RBI single that gave Ball State a two-run advantage.

The Hilltoppers’ offense came alive in the bottom of the sixth. With bases loaded, sophomore infielder Anna Mauck hit a fly out to right field, allowing sophomore outfielder Kennedy Stinson and sophomore pinch runner Macy Gregor to score. Their runs tied the game at 4-4.

Houge replaced Wood at pitcher in the top of the seventh. The game went to three extra innings, during which she did not allow any hits or runs.

A walk-off two-RBI home run from Stinson in the bottom of the 10th ended the over-two-and-a-half-hour game in a 6-4 Hilltopper victory.

WKU finished Saturday’s competition hitting .333.

“Sometimes you don’t score that many runs like we did yesterday, (but) I was really proud of our fight back and pushing the 10-inning game,” Tudor said.

Day 3

The Hilltoppers finished out the last day of the weekend with a win over IU Indy 5-0.

Houge threw a no-hitter, finishing the day with six strikeouts. Houge allowed just one walk, just her 10th of the season.

A four-run second inning gave all the momentum to the Hilltoppers. The bats got going with two home runs from Masters and a two-run shot from Kendle White.

WKU found more success in the sixth inning, adding one more run due to a bases-loaded walk given out by relief pitcher Callie Dickerson.

All but four Hilltoppers found their way on base against the Jaguars. WKU was led by Kendle White, Mauck and Sharpe, all finishing the day with two hits. WKU finished the day hitting .346.

After the four-run explosion, the Jaguars went to their bullpen for Dickerson. She was able to find the strikezone, striking out three Hilltoppers.

WKU will stay at home to open up conference play next weekend, taking on conference newcomer Missouri State in a three-game series.