WKU Softball goes 1-1 in the Conference USA tournament second round, extending their season.
The Hilltoppers fell to No.3 seed Liberty Flames 3-0, being sent to the loser bracket to take on No.4 Delaware in a double header. WKU kept their postseason hopes alive, defeating the Blue Hens 4-3 on a walk-off.
Game One
WKU fell in the second round to Liberty 3-0, falling to the losers bracket.
The Hilltoppers could not find any offense, hitting .087 with just two hits. The go-to bats of junior Kendle White, junior Annie White and junior Maci Masters could not get going, combining for just 2-7 at the plate.
The pitching staff also struggled against the Liberty hitters, allowing 10 hits and three runs. Sophomore Erica Houge got the start pitching 4.1 innings, allowing nine hits, three runs, two walks and no strikeouts.
Junior Rylan Smith came in to relieve Houge, putting a stop to the Flames momentum. In Smith’s 2.2 innings of work, she allowed one hit and struck out three.
Sophomore Camden Anders got the start in the circle for Liberty, throwing a complete game. Anders had the Hilltoppers number, finishing with five strikeouts, two hits and two walks.
The Hilltoppers went quite the last three innings, with no hits.
Game Two
WKU defeated Delaware 4-3 in a win or go home game.
The Hilltoppers had all of the momentum heading into the bottom half of the seventh inning. Two walks and a single loaded the bases for WKU with junior Morgan Sharpe at the plate.
WKU took advantage of their speed as Sharpe beat out the throw to first place, scoring the runner from third.
Unlike in game one, the Hilltoppers found their rhythm at the plate, hitting .280. Redshirt senior Jenna Blanton and sophomore Anna Mauck led the way, hitting 2-3 and 2-2 respectively. Blanton scored two runs for WKU as Mauck scored the winning run.
Smith got the start in the circle for the Hilltoppers, throwing four complete innings, allowing four hits, three runs, a walk and striking out three.
Houge relieved Smith, throwing three complete innings, being nearly perfect. Houge allowed no hits, just one walk and struck out four.
Sharpe got the scoring going for WKU in the first inning with an RBI double, tying the game 1-1 early.
The Hilltoppers continued to roll, taking a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third off an RBI triple from freshman Lauren Satterly and a sacrifice fly from Annie White.
Delaware would not back down, immediately answering with two runs of their own in the fourth inning to tie the game.
Both sides went quiet until the seventh inning as Sharpe scored the winning run.
The Hilltoppers will face another elimination game, taking on Louisiana Tech.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
