"A takeaway from today is that we need to work on being more consistent with our plate approaches when we have runners in scoring position," head coach Amy Tudor opened. "We are scoring quite a few runs and providing ample run support for our pitching staff but can improve with our consistency. I'm proud of the way we were able to generate offense in that first game and was impressed with our team scoring six runs after trailing 5-0 in game two."
Morgan McElroy put together a 3-for-5 day at the plate with a pair of walks and three RBI. Vaughn went 3-for-6 with two home runs and four RBI. As a team, the WKU offense worked at a .333 batting average on the day.
WKU Softball is scheduled to take on Tennessee State and Chattanooga in back-to-back games from Frost Stadium starting at noon CT on Saturday.
GAME 7: WKU 10, TENNESSEE STATE 0 (5)
After 2.5 scoreless innings to open Friday play in the Chattanooga Challenge, WKU finally broke through in the bottom of the third frame after Jordan Thomas drew a two-out walk and proceeded to steal second. Up next, Maddie Bowlds sent a double to right field allowing Thomas to score and give the Hilltoppers a lead they would not relinquish.
An inning later with the bases loaded, McElroy stepped into the box and sent a two-run single through the right side. Deep into the inning, McElroy would ultimately score on a wild pitch to push WKU's lead to 4-0.
Kelsey McGuffin took a one-out walk in the bottom of the fifth frame and proceeded to steal second and third bases to score on a Paige Carter single up the middle. Next up, Vaughn launched a no-doubter over the left field fence for her first home run of the year. Two batters later with two away, Kendall Smith took a hit by pitch and McElroy followed with a walk to bring Jordan Vorbrink to the plate. The junior transfer worked a full count before delivering her first home run as a Hilltopper to right-center field for the run-rule walk-off win by a final score of 10-0.
Shelby Nunn pitched her way to her fourth win of the season, allowing just three hits and a walk along the way. The complete-game shutout was the first of Nunn's career while she went the distance for the third time of her debut campaign, improving to 4-2 on the year.
GAME 8: TENNESSEE TECH 7, WKU 6
Tennessee Tech struck first again in WKU's second go-around with the Golden Eagles, plating three runs in the first frame. TTU's lead grew to 5-0 in the top of the third before WKU got on the board in the bottom of the frame. Carter sent a two-out single to centerfield and Vaughn followed with her second homer of the day to bring the Hilltoppers within 5-2.
The Golden Eagles added two more runs in the top of the fourth to extend their lead to 7-2. In the bottom half of the inning, Kelsey McGuffin got on board with a single to right field moving Thomas to third. McGuffin went on to steal second and induce a throw down to allow Thomas to score and make the margin 7-3.
In the bottom of the fifth, back-to-back doubles by Smith and Engelhardt brought the score to 7-4. After holding Tennessee Tech scoreless for the final three frames, WKU had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh. Vaughn got the inning started with a double to left field before Smith traded places with her on a gapper to right-center field. McElroy sent a one-out single to right-center to plate Smith and cut WKU's deficit to just one. With the winning run on base after a walk, the Golden Eagles were able to hold off the Hilltoppers' late surge.
Kelsey Aikey took the loss after allowing three earned runs without recording an out as the Hilltoppers worked from behind the rest of the way. Haylee Towers worked 4.0 innings of relief with three earned runs allowed and a pair of strikeouts. Nunn handled the final three innings of play in the contest allowing just three hits and zero runs.
TOPPER NOTES:
- Brittany Vaughn and Jordan Vorbrink both hit their first home runs of the season in WKU's 10-0 (5) win over Tennessee State. Vaughn's long ball marked the 14th of her career (10 at WKU), while Vorbrink registered her first dinger as a Hilltopper and second of her career. Vorbrink's three RBI are a new career high. Vaughn went on to hit her second homer of the season in Friday's second game.
- WKU has now won three games in run-rule fashion. Additionally, Vorbrink's walkoff home run was the third game of the year to end in a walkoff win for WKU.
- The Hilltoppers have now successfully swiped 17-of-19 attempted stolen bases this season. Behind the plate, Kendall Smith has already gunned down three runners, allowing just two stolen bags on the season.
- On the season, nine Hilltoppers are now hitting .280 or better at the plate.
