MOBILE, Ala. – WKU Softball has concluded its spring break trip that included a conference series win while also giving No. 8 LSU a tough time before dropping its final game in the form of an 8-0 six-inning decision at South Alabama on Wednesday. The Hilltoppers moved to 17-9 on the season with the setback while South Alabama climbed to 14-11.
South Alabama struck early Wednesday afternoon, plating five runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a lead it would not relinquish. All five tallies were unearned after a fielding error by the Hilltoppers.
Taking over in the circle with two outs in the bottom of the first, Haylee Towers worked the next 4.0 innings allowing just three hits by USA along the way. The Jaguars plated one run, unearned, against the sophomore hurler while she added a strikeout.
The home squad pushed its advantage to 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth before adding its first earned runs in the bottom of the sixth to clinch the game at 8-0. South Alabama is the first team in 26 games to pick up a run-rule victory over the Hilltopper squad.
All four pitchers on the WKU roster saw action in the game and combined to allow just the two earned runs in the contest. Shelby Nunn took the decision, moving to 11-6 on the year.
Offensively, Paige Carter extended her hitting streak to a team-best six-straight games. Jordan Vorbrink also added a hit for the second-consecutive day. Both Hilltoppers have also now each reached base in six-straight contests. Brittany Vaughn and Kelsey McGuffin also added hits for the Red and White.
During WKU's five games on the road, Vorbrink led the way with a .500 batting average, knocking seven hits across 14 at bats while drawing four walks. Carter (.467), Rebekah Engelhardt (.357), Kelsey McGuffin (.357) and Maddie Bowlds (.313) all registered batting averages of .300 or better during the stretch on the road.
NEXT TIME OUT:
Up next, the Hilltoppers are headed back to Bowling Green, Ky., to host Middle Tennessee for the first Conference USA series from the WKU Softball Complex this season. The Red and White will play a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday before closing series action with a noon tilt on Sunday.
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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