A full-team effort powered WKU Softball over Lipscomb 5-1 Tuesday night at the WKU Softball Complex.
The Hilltopper offense outmatched the Bison, going 8-24 at the plate and 4-6 on leadoffs. Lipscomb went just 5-27 and 1-10 with runners on base.
“(Our) offense came out on fire,” Head Coach Amy Tudor said. “We shut it down in the circle (and) played good defense.”
Sophomore right-hander Erica Houge earned her 15th win of the season against the Bison. The starting pitcher threw five innings, allowing three hits and striking out three.
The Hilltoppers wasted no time putting runs on the board. Sophomore third baseman Katie Murphy hit a two-RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the first. In the second, junior infielder Maci Masters sent one over the wall, and freshman catcher Lauren Satterly hit an RBI double to left field to put the Hilltoppers up 4-0.
“Setting the tone is just big for us, so if we’re able to come out hard and early, then we’ll be able to do that,” Murphy said.
WKU hit a wall in the middle innings. The Hilltoppers went down in order in the third and fourth, and several defensive miscues allowed the Bison to secure an unearned run in the top of the fifth.
Junior right-hander Rylan Smith replaced Houge in the top of the sixth. She gave up back-to-back singles, but two strikeouts and a fielder’s choice stranded two Lipscomb runners.
The Hilltoppers found their offensive rhythm again in the bottom of the sixth, hitting back-to-back singles to start off and scoring their fifth and final run off an RBI flyout from junior right fielder Kendle White.
“You just got to find some timely hits, get on base (or) get a walk. I think when our circle is holding it down, it takes a little bit off the offense as well, so I thought that was good,” Tudor said about her squad overcoming its offensive slump.
Smith retired Lipscomb in order in the top of the seventh to secure WKU’s 5-1 victory. She finished the night allowing two hits and striking out four in two innings.
The Hilltoppers are now 28-8 overall and 20-1 at home. The victory extends their winning streak to six.
“It’s great to build momentum before we go and head back on the road…We’re comfortable (at home). Now we get to go play somewhere else, and we’re looking forward to it,” Tudor said.
The Hilltoppers will travel to Lynchburg, Virginia, to face the Liberty Flames this weekend for a Conference USA series. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT on Friday, April 10.
