March 15, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. -The Western Kentucky University softball team pushed their record to .500 (10-10) with a 3-1 victory over Loyola today in the second day of the Hilltopper Classic. Western received another strong pitching outing, as junior Allison Silver went 4.2 innings to earn her fourth win of the season and freshman Adrienne Lathrop retired the final seven batters for her first collegiate save.
The Hilltoppers took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third, when junior Riley Garcia scored on a groundout by sophomore Shelly Floyd. Senior Kristalyn Smith made the score 2-0 with a solo shot in the top of the fourth, her second of the year.
The Ramblers got on the board in the bottom of the fifth, compliments of an RBI double from Natalie Martin, which scored Katie Blackmore. Lathrop came on in relief of Silver with two outs and Martin on second, and escaped the jam by forcing Susan Scott to groundout. Lathrop went on to retire the next six batters in order for the save.
WKU added an insurance run in the top of the sixth when pinch runner Jennifer Hollingsworth scored on an RBI single from junior Samantha Hansen. WKU's catcher and freshman Natasha Sevco led the Hilltoppers with two hits a piece.
The Hilltoppers face Valparaiso today at 2 p.m. It will be their final game before bracket play on Sunday, the final day of the Hilltopper Classic.
- WKU -
