Lafayette, La. - The Lady Toppers (30-29) fell short in the third round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament against Troy 7-2 to end the 2011 season.
The Lady Toppers tallied two runs off four hits, being out-hit by Troy 13-4. Freshman Amanda Thomas went two-for-three at the plate for two RBIs. Freshman Kelsie Mattox and junior Laura Smith tallied the two other hits in the game. Sophomore Mallorie Sulaski pitched 5.1 innings allowing six runs, three earned, off 10 hits. Sulaski finishes the season with a record of 13-12. Junior Dana Nathanson pitched the remaining 1.2 innings allowing one run off three hits.
Troy opened the game in the top of the second inning with one run off three hits with one Lady Topper error. Troy led off with a double to right center, followed by an error putting runners on first and third. A single through the left side brought one run in. The Trojans added one run in the top of the third inning off two hits and one Lady Topper error. A single with an error put the runner at second. A fly-out to right field put the runner at third, followed by a walk. A single through the left side brought one run in for a 2-0 lead over WKU.
WKU knotted the game in the bottom of the fourth inning with two runs off one hit, leaving one stranded. Sophomore Katrina Metoyer and Mattox both reached on walks. Runners advanced to second and third after a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Karavin Dew. Thomas drilled a double to center field bringing Metoyer and Mattox in for the tying runs.
Troy regained the lead in the top of the fifth inning with two runs off three hits. The Trojans opened with a single, advanced to second on a bunt. A double to right field and a single up the middle advancing to second on the throw brought two runs in. Troy extended the lead in the top of the sixth inning with three runs off four hits with one Lady Topper error. Three bunt singles and an error on a throw to first brought two runs in. Another bunt brought the third run in.
The Lady Toppers had a chance to battle back in the bottom of the sixth inning leaving two runners stranded. Mattox hit a single through the left side before Thomas singled to center field with two outs. A ground out ended the inning with runners at first and second.
The Lady Toppers end their season with an overall record of 30-29 and seventh in the Sun Belt Conference with a 9-15 record. WKU finished the season with an overall batting average of .279, higher than any single season in program history.
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