BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - After taking game one on Friday night, the WKU softball team defeated ULM in game two 3-0 to win their third Sun Belt Conference series before taking game three 4-3 to sweep the Warhawks. Senior Ryan Rogge picked up her 17th win of the season in game one giving up four hits and only one run, an unearned run, while Kempf went nine inning en route to her eighth win of the season.
In game one, WKU needed just one big inning to secure the win takin an early lead in the bottom of the second inning after scoring four runs off four hits and one ULM error. After senior Terri Ellingsworth started the inning off with a homerun to left center field to kick off the inning, Horesky scored WKU’s second run of the game after reaching base after a single to center field. After reaching base, Horesky advanced to second after a fielder’s choice and scored following a throwing error by ULM’s pitcher. WKU’s third run of the game came after a Rachelle Boucher single that scored sophomore Elizabeth Ferrell after she reached first following the fielder’s choice that soce. The Lady Toppers then took a 4-0 lead after sophomore Brittney Perry scored after a Kelsey McCauley groundout.
ULM was able to answer WKU’s four-run inning in the top of the third after Brianna Love scored following a WKU error after reaching base by being hit by a pitch. With runners on first and third with two outs, senior Rogge stopped ULM’s scoring run by striking out the final out of the inning.
WKU was led in the game by Horesky and Boucher as both Lady Toppers collected two hits in the game.
In game two, it was the Warhawks who jumped on top early taking a 2-0 lead after the first inning. In the inning, the Warhaws had two consecutive singles and then scored following a ULM double to right field.
But, the Lady Toppers evened the score in the bottom of the seventh inning after Antone and Ellingsworth scored. Antone reached base following another ULM error while Ellingsworth reached first after hitting a single to left field. Then, both Lady Toppers scored after a double to center field by Horesky.
ULM then scored one run on a bizarre play that resulted in ULM reaching third base after a wild pitch off a strikeout. With the WKU players already off the field, ULM’s Robin Biddle continued to round the bases and ended up on third before the WKU players returned to the field to keep her from scoring. With WKU ready to play, Biddle scored after another WKU wild pitch that gave ULM the lead.
But, WKU charged back in the bottom of the ninth inning winning the game after a single by Shannon Smith. On the play, Ellingsworth scored after walking to reach base and Cronk scored after reaching base following a ULM error. After Ellingworth scored to tie the game, Cronk scored after a throwing error by ULM’s center fielder.
Senior Jennifer Kempf was credited with the win and improves to 5-7 this season after giving up seven hits in the game.
WKU will be back in action on Wednesday night when they head to Nashville, Tenn. to take on Tennessee State in a doubleheader that will begin at 5 p.m. CT.
