WKU Softball swept Middle Tennessee in the weekend series at Nick Denes Field from March 20-22.
The wins move the Hilltoppers to 22-7 on the season, and 6-3 in CUSA.
The Hilltoppers had a lot of success in the circle, with junior Rylan Smith throwing her first no-hitter in her career in game two, and the 15th no-hitter for a WKU player in program history.
WKU batters put together a solid weekend outing, led by redshirt senior Jenna Blanton with a 6-9 mark at the plate on the weekend.
Game One
The Hilltoppers defeated the Blue Raiders 5-4 in game one to snap a four-game losing streak. WKU had its most hits in a game since its losing streak started against Jacksonville State.
Junior Kendle White and junior Annie White led the way for the Hilltoppers. Kendle White hit 2-3 with two RBIs and Annie White hit 1-2 with two RBIs.
The Hilltoppers finished the day hitting .348 at the plate.
Sophomore Erica Houge started in the circle for the Hilltoppers and pitched the entirety of the game. Houge allowed six hits and struck out seven batters.
WKU struck first behind a two-run home run from Kendle White to open the bottom of the first inning.
MTSU clawed back into the game in the fifth inning, taking advantage of a walk and a hit-by-pitch throw by Houge to close the Hilltoppers’ lead to one.
WKU answered right back in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two-run home run from Annie White to extend their lead back to three, 5-2.
MTSU did all they could to get back in the game, scoring a run in both the sixth and seventh innings. The Hilltoppers closed the door on the Blue Raiders to take game one after a groundout.
Game Two
WKU took the series, winning game two 5-0. Smith led the way in the circle, throwing a no-hitter. The no-hitter marked the second no-hitter of the season for the Hilltoppers.
MTSU could not figure out Smith in the circle as she finished with 11 strikeouts and just two walks.
Behind the superb pitching from Smith, the bats were on fire as WKU hit .385 on the day.
Three Hilltoppers finished the day hitting 2-3. Junior Morgan Sharpe led the team in RBIs with two.
The bats were silent for WKU until the fourth inning, where they exploded for four runs.
Sophomore Katie Murphy got the scoring going with an RBI double and Sharpe scored two off an RBI double.
The Hilltoppers would keep the pressure on in the fifth inning, scoring a run off a sacrifice fly to extend their lead to 5-0.
Game Three
The Hilltoppers completed the sweep with a 7-5 win on Sunday.
WKU’s hitting put together a dominant performance, led by Blanton with a 3-4 mark at the plate. Annie White hit 2-3.
Houge started in the circle for the Hilltoppers, finishing the game allowing four hits and three runs in 5.2 innings.
Kendle White and Sophomore Kennedy Stinson got the scoring started with a home run each in the first inning to take a 4-2 lead.
Sharpe homered in the fourth inning to add to the lead, and Smith closed the game out in the circle to end the game.
WKU will head to Las Cruces for a matchup with New Mexico State next weekend on March 27-29. Game one on Friday is set for 7 p.m. CT.
