Chattanooga Challenge on Deck for WKU Softball

WKU Notes (PDF)

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Back in action after going 3-1 on opening weekend including the program's sixth-straight season-opening win, WKU Softball is headed to the Chattanooga Challenge for a full slate of games. Play from Chattanooga, Tenn., will commence Thursday as the Hilltoppers will take on Tennessee Tech and Sacred Heart in back-to-back games from Frost Stadium. The Red and White will play as many as six games on the weekend, weather pending.

Still set to open the second weekend of the 2018 campaign against Tennessee Tech (0-4) at Frost Stadium, WKU Softball will look to continue its blazing offensive start. With a team batting average of .368 and 38 runs scored through their first four games, the Hilltoppers are tied for 11^th across the NCAA in run production with 9.5 runs per game. On the other hand, the Golden Eagles are hitting at a collective .194 rate from the plate and are still in search of their first win on the year. WKU is 9-5 all-time against Tennessee Tech. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. CT.

Game two on the altered Chattanooga Challenge slate for the Red and White will be against Sacred Heart on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. CT. The Pioneers will open their 2018 campaign in Chattanooga this weekend after posting a 23-28 record a year ago. WKU and SHU have never crossed paths on the diamond.

Games after Thursday are not yet set and will be scheduled as the weather and field conditions allow. Additional games at the Chattanooga Challenge could be against any combination of the following teams including Alabama A&M (0-4), Chattanooga (2-2), Indiana State (0-0) and Tennessee State (0-4).

All scheduled contests are subject to change with rain in the forecast for the majority of the weekend. Game changes will be posted on WKUSports.com and on the team's Twitter and Facebook pages. Mother Nature has already taken her toll on the Chattanooga Challenge, pushing games up to Thursday.

Livestats links can be found on the softball schedule at WKUSports.com. Admission for the Chattanooga Challenge is $10 per day for adults and $5 each day for a youth ticket. Gates will open for fans one hour before the first game at each designated field.

Last weekend in Boiling Springs, N.C., WKU Softball tied the program record for runs scored in a single day after the Hilltoppers collected a pair of run-rule victories on Saturday. With 17 runs against Youngstown State and 10 more in a 6-inning contest with Hampton, WKU plated 27 runs to match the previous record set on April 13, 2013 against ULM.

Four Hilltoppers made their collegiate debuts last weekend including Kendall Smith behind the plate, Jordan Thomas in the outfield, Maddie Bowlds at first base and Shelby Nunn in the circle. Junior transfer Jordan Vorbrink also got the nod all four games with three starts in left field and the fourth at first base. The group of newcomers combined for 19 hits, 16 runs, nine extra-base hits, eight walks and a hit by pitch in addition to a collective .340 batting average and .500 on-base percentage.

Following weekend play in Chattanooga, WKU Softball will return home for the next 11 games hosting a pair of tournament from the WKU Softball Complex and a midweek tilt against SIUE.

How to Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook /WKUSoftball.

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Players Mentioned

Maddie Bowlds

Shelby Nunn

Kendall Smith

Jordan Thomas

Jordan Vorbrink