"We had quality at bats today from the start," head coach Amy Tudor said. "Setting the tone early is important and we were able to accomplish that today. Paige Carter has been a consistent presence for us in the lineup and continues to produce runs."
"Shelby Nunn did a good job in the circle today, only allowing one run," Tudor added. "She continues to give us a chance and I was proud of her composure after yesterday's tough loss."
Jordan Thomas waited out a seven-pitch walk as the Hilltoppers' leadoff hitter to get on base for the 11th time in 19 leadoff opportunities. Maddie Bowlds followed with a walk of her own before Carter stepped into the box in the cleanup spot and sent the 1-2 pitch off the parking structure for a 3-0 WKU lead. Up next, Kendall Smith took a hit by pitch for a free bag and came around to score on a Kelsey McGuffin double to push the Hilltopper advantage to four. Still not done, the Red and White saw Jordan Vorbrink find the grass for an RBI single to plate McGuffin for the fifth run of the frame.
Indiana State broke up Nunn's no-hit bid in the top of the third with a single and would avoid the shutout in the top of the fourth inning after recording two hits to open the frame to plate its lone run.
WKU responded again in the bottom of the fourth when Vorbrink led off with a standing double to left-center field before moving to third on a single by Thomas. Three batters later, with two outs, Carter added another RBI in the form of a double and advanced to third on an outfield mishap allowing the final run of the game to score.
The Hilltoppers were threatening again in the bottom of the fifth with two runners on and two outs for Thomas at the plate, but a lightning strike and torrential rains forced the Red and White to call it a day a few innings early.
Nunn tossed her sixth complete game in the victory while striking out a pair and allowing just four hits.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday – 9 a.m. CT – Indiana State def. Green Bay 1-0
11 a.m. CT – Indiana State def. Toledo 7-2
1 p.m. CT – WKU def. Green Bay 10-0 (5)
3 p.m. CT – Toledo def. WKU 1-0
Saturday – 10 a.m. CT – Toledo def. Green Bay 3-0
12:30 p.m. CT – WKU def. Indiana State 7-1 (5)
Sunday – 10 a.m. CT – WKU vs. Green Bay
12:15 p.m. CT – Toledo vs. Indiana State
2:30 p.m. CT – Toledo vs. Green Bay
4:45 p.m. CT – WKU vs. Indiana State
Any schedule changes will be communicated through the WKU Softball Twitter, Facebook and web platforms.
TOPPER NOTES:
- Three Hilltoppers registered multi-hit days in the win including Paige Carter, Kelsey McGuffin and Jordan Vorbrink. Carter leads the team with six multi-hit games on the year while McGuffin is second with five. Vorbrink's performance was her first of the season. Carter is currently on a seven-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in 11-straight games – both are career highs.
- Jordan Vorbrink has now set a new career-best hitting streak - with hits in her last four games – and reached base streak, reaching safely in the last seven contests.
- Carter matched her career high with four RBI in the contest. She leads WKU with six multi-RBI games this season and is up to nine on her career. Carter is the third different Hilltopper to register a four RBI game this season (Brittany Vaughn, Rebekah Engelhardt).
- The WKU pitching staff has combined for eight complete games already this season. Nunn has six while Kelsey Aikey and Haylee Towers each have one. In the circle, the staff has lowered its collective ERA to a 3.63 mark.
