BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Western Kentucky University softball team got a glimpse of what the 2012 season could bring this fall, going 4-4 in eight fall games in late September and October. The Lady Toppers took on some top-notch teams in the fall, taking on perennial top-25 teams in Alabama and Tennessee.
"Our team worked very hard this fall to become stronger in all aspects of the game," said head coach Tyra Perry. "We had several returners solidify themselves as everyday players. We also had newcomers step up and help make us better. We'll use these last few weeks of practice to work on the little details of our game that make good teams great."
The Lady Toppers opened the fall in fine fashion, taking down Lindsey Wilson 15-5 at the WKU Softball Complex on Sept. 28. WKU then hosted Topper Fall Classic I on Oct. 1 with Alabama and Murray State. While the Lady Toppers fell 7-1 to the Crimson Tide and 7-0 to the Racers, they did do some good on that day. WKU softball collected over 200 canned goods for the North American Food Drive.
The Lady Toppers then took to the road for a pair of games at Tennessee on Oct. 6. WKU defeated Chattanooga State 6-2 and held strong against the home-standing Lady Vols in a 6-4 loss. On Oct. 15, the Lady Toppers hosted Topper Fall Classic II. After dropping its first game of the day 4-0 to Campbellsville, WKU bounced back with a 4-0 win over Volunteer State and a 21-10 victory over Campbellsville. For the Topper Fall Classic II, the Lady Toppers collected donations for the Susan G. Koman for the Cure Foundation. WKU Softball thanks all who helped the program with its charitable efforts in the fall.
"This fall I saw a lot things I liked as far as fight and determination," said junior catcher Karavin Dew, who was a First-Team All-Sun Belt selection in 2010. "I think we progressively got better as we became more comfortable with one another. I feel like we are going to be the team to beat this year."
Sophomore Kelsie Mattox led WKU with a .482 batting average in the fall. Senior outfielder Laura Smith also had a strong fall at the plate, hitting .302. Freshman Shawna Sadler hit the ground running in the fall games, putting up a .333 average. The Lady Toppers also saw improvement in the pitching staff.
"I think overall the pitchers did well this fall," said assistant coach Bonnie Bynum. "They put some of the things we were working on in practice to use in the games, and I saw it pay off in big ways. I was especially pleased with the growth I saw in our sophomore pitcher Brittanie Albright."
With solid hitting and improved pitching, the WKU softball team looks primed for a big 2012 season.
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