WKU Capitalizes on Charlotte Errors to Win 1-0

Friday, April 24

Bowling Green, Ky.

6:30 PM

Western Kentucky University

28-9, 0

Charlotte

22-23, 0

Charlotte

WKU

4/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

April 24, 2015

Box Score

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-- It took one unearned run in the second inning for the WKU softball team (28-9, 13-3) to seal its 1-0 win over Charlotte (22-23, 8-10) in Friday night action at the WKU Softball Complex.

With the win, WKU becomes the first team to secure its spot at the Conference USA Softball Championship on May 7-9 in Miami, Fla.

Senior Miranda Kramer (19-6) recorded her 11th shutout of the season to set the school record for single-season shutouts. Leading the nation in total strikeouts and strikeouts per seven innings, Kramer tabbed a one-hit, 13-strikeout performance versus the 49ers. The Iowa native hit one batter in the second before the single to left center by Chelsea Lisikatos in the fourth and a walk also to Lisikatos in the seventh for Charlotte's only baserunners. Kramer notched eight of the first nine outs of the game.

Lexi Betancourt (16-16) took the loss, allowing five hits while walking five and striking out five. WKU senior Larissa Franklin went 2-for-3 off of Betancourt, extending her hit streak to 11 games. Fellow classmates Dani Pugh, Preslie Cruce and Shawna Sadler also tabbed a hit apiece in their final homestand.

The lone WKU run came in the bottom of the second inning, as Sadler, who reached on an error, stole second and the throw was out of reach, sending Lexie Norfleet in to home. The 49ers committed four errors in the contest, including two in Sadler's at-bats. The Illinois product has now reached base a team-high 11 times this season by way of error, including eight times in league contests.

The series with Charlotte continues on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT before concluding on Sunday at noon CT. Sunday will be WKU's Senior Day, as the team will recognize its eight seniors after the game.