Smith, Aikey Shine as WKU Sweeps Saturday Doubleheader

Saturday, February 9

Gulf Shores, Ala.

11 a.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

2-1

Florida A&M

0-2

Florida A&M

WKU

2/9/2019 6:03:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 3 Box Score Game 4 Box Score

GULF SHORES, Ala. – Across 9.2 innings of work on the day, junior pitcher Kelsey Aikey registered 13 strikeouts while earning both a save and a win as WKU Softball picked up a pair of Saturday victories. The Hilltoppers recorded a come-from-behind win in the form of a 4-3 decision over Florida A&M. Game two saw the Red and White grab a 5-0 win over Tennessee State to move to 3-1 on the season. Kendall Smith launched a pair of home runs in the day's second tilt.

"I was proud of our performance today," head coach Amy Tudor shared. "Sometimes you have to find a way to win and that's what we did in game one. We pitched well and scored when we were down to get the win. We carried that momentum into our second game which produced a shutout. Overall, it was a solid performance in all facets of the game."

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday, Feb. 8 – WKU def. Missouri State, 8-0 [5] – Box Score
Friday, Feb. 8 – No. 17 Auburn def. WKU, 8-0 [5] – Box Score
Saturday, Feb. 9 – WKU def. Florida A&M, 4-3 – Box Score
Saturday, Feb. 9 – WKU def. Tennessee State, 5-0 – Box Score
Sunday, Feb. 10 – 10 a.m. CT | vs. South Alabama | Livestats

Information regarding the Gulf Shores Sportsplex, tickets, parking and more can be found on the tournament central site, available here.

GAME 1: WKU 4, Florida A&M 3

In WKU's first tilt of the day, the Hilltopper squad got on the board in their first trip to the plate after an RBI base hit by Shannon Plese scored Jordan Vorbrink. Kennedy Sullivan opened the second inning with her fourth and fifth strikeouts of the game before Florida A&M was able to plate a pair of runs to take the lead.

FAMU added to its lead in the top of the third with an unearned run on an RBI single to push its advantage to 3-1.

WKU responded in the bottom of the third by sending eight batters to the plate. Vorbrink got the inning started with a one-out single, which Rebekah Engelhardt followed up with a walk. Two batters later, Sullivan drew a walk to load the bases for Paige Carter who waited out a free base to bring in a run. Kendall Smith followed with a double to centerfield to bring home Sullivan and Engelhardt for the go-ahead hit and WKU lead.

Sullivan worked into the top of the fifth inning before Kelsey Aikey relieved her and got the Red and White out of a two-on, one-out jam with just four pitches. Sullivan collected nine punch outs before taking over in the outfield.

Aikey worked the rest of the game to pick up the team's first save of the season – the sixth of her career. The junior is now tied for second on WKU's career list in saves. During her 2.1 innings of relief, she never allowed a hit while striking out four.

GAME 2: WKU 5, Tennessee State 0

WKU Softball's first three batters of the squad's second tilt of the day reached base via error, fielder's choice and a double before Rebekah Engelhardt sent a sacrifice fly to left field to score Vorbrink for the eventual winning run.

The Hilltoppers tacked onto their lead after a Jordan Thomas double to left-center field as Morgan McElroy scored. In the bottom of the fourth Smith connected for her first homer of the contest on the second she saw to push the Tops' advantage to 3-0.

Carter added to the lead with a sacrifice bunt that plated Shannon Plese from third base. Three pitches later, Smith sent her second home run of the game out of the yard to round out the Red and White's scoring.

After closing out the day's opening game, Aikey turned around and matched her career-high strikeout numbers with nine punch outs – five of the looking variety.

At the plate, Smith finished 3-for-5 with four RBI while Plese finished the day going 3-for-6.

NEXT GAME: On Sunday, WKU will take on South Alabama at 10 a.m. to close out its opening weekend slate from the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

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