Plese's Five-Hit Day, Hilltoppers Pitchers Lead WKU to Saturday Sweep at FIU

Saturday, March 16

Miami, Fla.

3 p.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

16-5, 1-0

FIU

17-10, 0-1

WKU

FIU

Plese's Five-Hit Day, Hilltoppers Pitchers Lead WKU to Saturday Sweep at FIU

3/16/2019 10:30:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score Season Stats Conference USA stats

MIAMI – Nineteen combined Hilltopper hits across Saturday's games at FIU helped WKU Softball to a doubleheader sweep of the Panthers to open Conference USA action. The pair of victories by the Red and White improved the squad to 17-5 (2-0 C-USA) on the season while FIU dropped to 17-11 (0-2 C-USA).

"I think our circle being strong helps give our hitters more chances," head coach Amy Tudor said of the day's victories. "Our circle is one of our biggest strengths while sometimes our offense is good but takes a little bit to get going sometimes. Our short game was fantastic today and this was also the best I've ever seen Beka Engelhardt play defense. We've really been working on it and she played her heart out."

Shannon Plese led the charge for the Hilltoppers with five hits across her seven at bats while adding four RBI and a walk. Kendall Smith drove in a pair of WKU runs as well and was joined by Rebekah Engelhardt, Jordan Thomas, Kennedy Sullivan, Taylor Davis and Haylee Towers with two hits on the day. WKU registered five doubles on the day while FIU never posted an extra-base hit and finished with just six hits across the day.

WKU posted a .333 batting average across the sweep to secure a series victory while holding the hosts to just a .130 rate. On the bases, the Hilltoppers went a perfect 5-for-5 with Engelhardt swiping a pair of bags.

"The team's playing hard and that's all you can ask for and you have to figure a way to win ball games sometimes," Tudor said of the contrasting wins. "I'm really proud of us today."

GAME 1: WKU 6, FIU 2

After a scoreless inning each way to open the game, WKU struck first in the top of the second inning. Rebekah Engelhardt led off with a walk before moving all the way to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kennedy Sullivan. The next batters, Haylee Towers placed a squeeze perfectly that allowed Engelhardt to score and Towers to reach first safely for a base hit.

Jordan Thomas kept things rolling for the Hilltoppers in the top of the third with a leadoff double down the right line. Shannon Plese followed with a chopper back up the middle to plate Thomas before Kendall Smith lined a double to the right-center gap, scoring Plese all the way from first for the 3-0 advantage.

In the top of the fourth, Towers sent the first pitch she saw to left field for a single, registering her second hit of the day. Thomas and Plese each added their second knocks of the day in the inning as well.

FIU broke into the scoring column in the bottom of the fourth after the Hilltoppers got into a two-on no-out jam. The Panthers struck for their second and third hits of the game but would ultimately strand a pair of runners on board with WKU still in front, 3-1.

The hosts pulled within one after adding another tally in the bottom of the fifth before WKU added a few insurance runs in the squad's next trip to the plate. Maddie Bowlds was the first of seven Hilltoppers to step into the box in the inning and led things off with a pinch-hit single. Taylor Davis added a hit by beating out a bunt before Thomas loaded the bases with a fielder's choice. At that point, Plese sent her third hit of the game to the right-center gap in the form of a two-run double for a 5-2 WKU advantage. Two batters later, Paige Carter dropped an RBI-sacrifice bunt to plate Thomas for the final tally in the 6-2 decision.

Sullivan went the distance in the circle with her seventh complete-game of the season and improved to 11-2 with the first Conference USA victory of her career.

Plese (3), Thomas (2), Sullivan (2) and Towers (2) all delivered multi-hit performances in the win for the Hilltoppers as WKU out-hit the Panthers 12-4. All six of the Red and White's runs came via Hilltopper RBI.

"I thought we came out of the gate swinging on offense and had a great game plan at the plate," Tudor shared. I thought Kennedy Sullivan pitched well in the circle and hit well. Shannon Plese is obviously on fire at the plate, going 3-for-3 in the first game. All the way around, I thought we played all three areas really well."

GAME 2: WKU 4, FIU 0

A pitcher's duel from the start, Shelby Nunn worked the game's first 5.2 frames before giving way to Kelsey Aikey. Nunn exited with five strikeouts against just one walk and two hits while responsible for the runner on third. After a nine-pitch at bat, FIU drew a walk and stole second after Aikey took over. At that point, Aikey needed just three more pitches for a swinging strikeout to get the Red and White back to the dugout with the momentum in their favor.

First up, Engelhardt singled up the middle before stealing second base. Paige Carter moved Engelhardt to third with a bunt single before Morgan McElroy was hit by the first pitch she saw to load the bases. After a fielder's choice forced Engelhardt out at home, Thomas followed with another that saw Carter slide in under the tag at home for the 1-0 lead. From there, Plese singled to left field to bring McElroy home and Smith followed with a bunt single for a 3-0 advantage. Keeping things going, Sullivan deposited a sacrifice fly to deep centerfield allowing Thomas to score for the final 4-0 margin.

In the bottom of the seventh, Aikey returned to the circle and continued where she left off. The junior needed just 13 pitches to strike out the side and secure the WKU victory. She finished with four strikeouts on 27 total pitches to move to 3-3 on the season.

"I told Shelby, I thought that's the best she's pitched all year," Tudor continued. "She really had her stuff moving and was able to change speeds and looked very steady in the circle. Aikey came in into a clutch situation. She's definitely our best closer; has that mentality of a closer and was very strong in the circle for us."

NEXT GAME: The Hilltoppers will close the three-game series again FIU on Sunday with the first pitch slated for 11 a.m. CT.

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