Tops Split Opening Day as Newcomers Make Their Mark

Friday, February 9

Boiling Springs, N.C.

11 a.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

1-0

Hampton

0-2

WKU

Hampton

2/9/2018 9:36:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Box (PDF)Game 2 Box (PDF)

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – For the first time since the 2007 WKU Softball's season opener took extra innings to decide but the Red and White ultimately claimed their first-ever meeting with Hampton in a 7-6 eight-inning decision for the program's sixth-straight season-opening victory. In the day's second game, junior transfer Jordan Vorbrink knocked her second go-ahead hit of the day in the top of the sixth but host Gardner-Webb responded in the bottom of the frame to claim the 5-4 decision.

Freshman Maddie Bowlds had herself a day, finishing 7-for-9 at the plate with a double, a triple, two RBI and a stolen base.

"In both of today's games we attacked the opposing pitcher early and were able to produce some runs," head coach Amy Tudor shared. "If we're able to carry on this approach, we will put ourselves in a position to continue to be productive offensively which will in turn help our young pitching staff. All in all, we had a lot of good things happen today that will aid us down the road."

With today's season-opening win, head coach Amy Tudor is now 14-0 in her career season openers.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday, Feb. 9 – 11 a.m. CT | vs. Hampton | W, 7-6 (8)
Friday, Feb. 9 – 3 p.m. CT | at Gardner-Webb | L, 5-4
Saturday, Feb. 10 – 9 a.m. CT | vs. Youngstown State | Livestats
Saturday, Feb. 10 – 11 a.m. CT | vs. Hampton | Livestats
Sunday, Feb. 11 – 9 a.m. CT | vs. Hampton | Livestats

GAME 1: WKU 7, HAMPTON 6 (8 innings)

Jordan Thomas kicked off the 2018 season with a free base to set up an RBI double by Maddie Bowlds to put WKU on the board first in its season opener. Kelsey McGuffin picked up the Hilltoppers' second hit of the frame before the Red and White headed out to the field with a 1-0 advantage.

Second-inning action opened with a Rebekah Engelhardt double before Morgan McElroy dropped a sacrifice bunt to advance Engelhardt to third. With Jordan Vorbrink ultimately reaching on an error, Engelhardt came around to score and double WKU's lead to 2-0. Already back at the top of the lineup, Thomas dropped in a double to plate Vorbrink. Bowlds followed with her second extra-base hit of the day in the form of an RBI triple to extend WKU's advantage to 4-0.

Engelhardt picked up her second extra-base knock of the game with a two-out home run over the left-center fence for her first long ball of the season and sixth of her career. Hampton responded in the bottom of the third with a three-run home run to right field to cut the Tops' lead to 5-3.

WKU countered in the top of the fourth on a two-out Brittany Vaughn RBI single that plated Bowlds to push the Red and White's advantage back to three runs.

Hampton evened the score in the bottom of the seventh following three hits, an error and a wild pitch. With runners on first and second with just one out, WKU got out of trouble after Kendall Smith fielded a ball from behind the plate and fired to Vaughn at second who threw over to Bowlds at first to turn the Hilltoppers' first double play of the season.

Heading to extra innings to open the season, Engelhardt began on second base with the international tiebreaker rule in place. On the first pitch of the inning, Engelhardt headed to third thanks to a wild pitch. With one down, Vorbrink stepped into the box and made contact with the first pitch she saw for a fielder's choice that plated the winning run in Engelhardt.

In need of three outs, WKU opted for a pitchout to open the frame which resulted in a Smith to McElroy to Vaughn pick off for the opening out. Two pitches later, Engelhardt handled a rocket for the second out before Shelby Nunn took care of the final batter with a strikeout.

Haylee Towers got the start and worked from the circle into the top of the fourth inning, registering a pair of strikeouts before being relieved by Kelsey Aikey. Aikey went on to toss the next three innings racking up five punch outs of her own. Nunn came in in the bottom of the seventh inning and worked the final two frames to pick up her first win in her collegiate debut.

In her collegiate debut, Bowlds opened the game 4-for-4 before getting called out in her fifth at bat for stepping out of the batting box while making contact.

GAME 2: GARDNER-WEBB 5, WKU 4

WKU's second contest of the day was a back-and-forth affair that saw four lead changes in all. Taking on the weekend host, Gardner-Webb, the Hilltoppers got on the board first in the top of the second after McGuffin got things going with a leadoff double – her third extra-base hit of the day. McGuffin advanced to third on a groundout by Engelhardt before crossing the plate as McElroy extended the inning by reaching on an error.

Bowlds continued her scorching streak at the plate with her sixth hit of the day in the top of the third and proceeded to steal second base during the next at bat before Smith knocked a double to right-center field bringing her fellow freshman home.

Gardner-Webb retaliated in the bottom of the third by plating a trio of two-out runs to take a 3-2 lead into the fourth.

After scoreless frames in the fourth and fifth, WKU struck again in the top of the sixth inning. Engelhardt got things started with a single and Tommi Stowers followed with another single, moving Engelhardt into scoring position. McElroy followed up by reaching on an error to load the bags before Vorbrink stepped up for her second go-ahead hit of the day. The Louisville transfer's single brought Engelhardt and Stowers around to score to give WKU the 4-3 advantage.

The hosts responded again, plating two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Gardner-Webb used three hits, including a double, to do its damage in the frame to regain a 5-4 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Vaughn got on base to represent the tying run after lining a one-out single to left field but ended up stranded at first.

Nunn went the distance for a complete game and took the loss to move to 1-1 on the season in the circle. The freshman notched four strikeouts against zero walks in the outing.

How to Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook /WKUSoftball.