Miami, Fla. - The Lady Topper softball team (23-21, 4-10 SBC) split a pair of Sun Belt Conference games against FIU Saturday afternoon, dropping game one 7-1, before pulling off a crucial win in game two, 5-4.
On the day the Lady Toppers tallied six runs off eight hits leaving 12 runners stranded. WKU had one double, one triple and one home run for six RBI in two games. Sophomore Karavin Dew tallied three hits with one triple and one home run for two runs and three RBI. The triple by Dew is her fifth of the season, tying WKU's single-season record for triples. The home run is her third of the season. Freshman Megan Johnson had one double for two RBI on the day.
"In the first game we weren't ready to play, we didn't play with emotion and we didn't come out like a team," said head coach Tyra Perry. "In the second game we played with a lot of emotion and had some people step-up for a big win."
In game one, the Lady Toppers tallied one run off three hits with two errors, leaving six runners stranded WKU was out-hit by FIU 9-3 with three strikeouts. Junior Laura Smith had one hit for one RBI, freshman Kelsie Mattox scored one run. Freshman Amanda Thomas and junior Amanda Walden each had one hit. Sophomore Kim Wagner pitched 3.2 innings allowing five runs off six hits while striking out two, her record falls to 10-11 on the season. Junior Dana Nathanson pitched the remaining 2.1 innings allowing two runs off three hits.
The Lady Toppers opened the top of the first inning with one run off one hit. Mattox walked as sophomore Ciara Garcia reached on an error and advanced to second on a passed ball, placing Mattox at third. Smith singled up the middle bringing Mattox in for the run.
The Panthers knotted the game in the bottom of the first inning with one run off one hit and two Lady Topper errors. FIU opened with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. An error pushed runners to second and third and a second error would bring one run in. The Panthers took the lead with two runs off two hits in the bottom of the second inning. Reaching first after being hit by pitch, followed by a single and advancing on the throw, placed runners on second and third. A single to left field brought two runs in.
FIU extended the lead in the bottom of the third inning with a single home run to center field. The Panthers added one more run in the bottom of the fourth, with a home run single to left field for the fifth run. The Panthers added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with a two run homer to center field for the seventh run.
In game two, the Lady Toppers tallied five runs off five hits with one double, one triple and one home run in the game. Dew went two-for three at the plate with two runs and three RBI. Johnson had one hit for two RBI. Sophomore Mallorie Sulaski pitched 6.1 innings allowing four runs off four hits while striking out two, she improves her record to 10-7 on the season.
The Lady Toppers opened the game in the top of the fourth inning with two runs off two hits, leaving one on base. Dew reached after being hit by the pitch and advanced to second after Thomas hit a single. Runners advanced to second after a sacrifice bunt by Walden. A double to left center by Johnson brought two runners in for the Lady Topper lead.
WKU extended the lead in the top of the fifth with one run off one hit. Smith reached after being hit by the pitch before Dew drilled a triple to right field bringing Smith in for the run.
FIU took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with four runs off two hits. The Panthers hit a single through the left side and stole second. A walk and a hit by pitch loaded the bases. A walk brought the Panthers first run of the game in. A fielder's choice followed by a double to left center brought three runs in for the one run lead over the Lady Toppers.
The Lady Toppers regained the lead in the top of the seventh inning with two runs off one hit. Smith was walked followed by a crucial two run homer by Dew for the lead. The home run is Dew's third of the season. WKU held FIU in the bottom of the seventh to earn the win.
The Lady Toppers (23-21, 4-10 SBC) will close-out their series against FIU tomorrow at the FIU Softball Complex at 11 a.m.
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