WKU Softball looks to extinguish the Liberty Lady Flames on the road this weekend in a three-game Conference USA series April 10-12.
The Hilltoppers are coming off a 5-1 midweek win over Lipscomb on Tuesday and a CUSA series sweep over Sam Houston last weekend, both at the WKU Softball Complex.
The wins have improved WKU to 28-8 overall and 11-4 in CUSA, good for second-place in conference. The Hilltoppers’ winning streak extended to six after their win over the Lipscomb Bison.
The Hilltoppers have combined for a whopping 47 home runs so far this season, seven of which were posted last weekend against Sam Houston. Leading the offensive blasts is junior infielder Maci Master with 12. Not far behind are junior first baseman Annie White and sophomore right fielder Kennedy Stinson with nine apiece.
Redshirt senior centerfielder Jenna Blanton continues to be WKU’s most successful offensive player. Her .447 batting average leads the team and ranks second in CUSA. As a whole, the Hilltoppers lead the conference in team batting average at .340.
In the circle, sophomore right-hander Erica Houge leads WKU. She holds a conference-best 2.06 ERA. Houge started against Lipscomb earlier this week, throwing five innings and allowing just three hits. As a team, the Hilltopper pitching staff also leads CUSA in team ERA at 2.59.
Liberty is tied with WKU for second place in the CUSA standings. The Lady Flames hold an 18-20 overall record and an 11-4 conference record.
Liberty has posted a 2-2 record over the past week. The Lady Flames secured the CUSA series win over Missouri State last weekend, but not before falling to the Bears 2-0 on Thursday. On Wednesday, Liberty fell to No. 15 Duke 12-5.
The Hilltoppers lead CUSA in overall batting average, but the Lady Flames lead CUSA in conference-only batting average at .341.
Liberty senior outfielder Brynn McManus was named the CUSA Player of the Week on Monday for the second time this season. She went 10-14 at the plate last week, totaling two doubles and five RBI.
WKU is on a five-game losing streak against Liberty. The Hilltoppers fell to the Lady Flames twice last season, and WKU lost to Liberty 4-3 in nine innings in the CUSA Softball title game in 2024.
This weekend’s first pitches are scheduled for 5 p.m. CT Friday, 2 p.m. CT Saturday and 10 a.m. CT Sunday. The games can be streamed on ESPN+.
