Win Streak Grows to 10 as Tops Shine at the Plate and Aikey Fires One-Hitter

Friday, March 8

Kennesaw, Ga.

9 a.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

14-2

Wright State

6-10

Wright State

WKU

Win Streak Grows to 10 as Tops Shine at the Plate and Aikey Fires One-Hitter

3/8/2019 5:43:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 PDF Box Score Game 2 PDF Box Score

KENNESAW, Ga. – WKU Softball recorded its fourth come-from-behind win of the season to open play at the Bobbie Bailey Memorial Tournament with a 6-3 victory over Wright State before Kelsey Aikey delivered a one hitter en route to a 10-0 five-inning decision over Saint Louis. The Hilltoppers extended their win streak to 10 with the two-win day and improved to 15-2 on the season.

"I am proud of the team's effort today despite our slow start in the early morning game," head coach Amy Tudor opened. "Anytime you can grab two wins on the road, it's a good day."

The Hilltoppers hit a collective .340 on the day with 18 knocks while driving in 12 of the 16 runs. WKU recorded five walks and a hit by pitch while striking out just four times on the day. On the base paths, WKU successfully stole 8-of-9 bags.

"Our hitters had great approaches and the hitting was spread from top to bottom while we ran the bases well with eight stolen bases."

GAME 1: WKU 6, WRIGHT STATE 3
After a slow start that saw Wright State score first, WKU took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth after plating four runs. Entering the top of the sixth, WKU owned a 5-2 advantage before both sides added a tally in the sixth for the final 6-3 decision.

Shannon Plese recorded her seventh multi-hit game of the season with two of the Hilltoppers' six hits on the game. Batting cleanup, Kendall Smith added a base hit and two RBI while Tommi Stowers sent a double to the left corner for two RBI of her own.

Kennedy Sullivan drew the start and picked up her 10^th win of her rookie campaign after tossing 5.1 innings. Dating back to Evansville, Sullivan worked 12-straight innings with at least two strikeouts before the streak ended in the fifth frame. Sullivan finished with eight punchouts and four hits allowed.

Shelby Nunn closed the game out with her second save of the season. The sophomore pitched 1.2 innings of no-hit ball while striking out two.

GAME 2: WKU 10, SAINT LOUIS 0 [5]

The visitors in game two, WKU struck for three runs before Saint Louis even took an at bat. Jordan Thomas, Smith and Stowers each recorded hits in the frame. In the bottom half of the inning, Kelsey Aikey came out firing as the junior pitcher struck out the side for her first of eight strikeouts in the five-inning affair.

WKU tacked on a couple more tallies in the top of the third after Rebekah Engelhardt and Plese each added base hits. Morgan McElroy and Jordan Vorbrink added hits of their own in the top of the fourth before Smith, Paige Carter, Maddie Bowlds, Vorbrink and Thomas all added hits in the fifth inning as the Hilltoppers batted around the order. Every Hilltopper batter to make a plate appearance recorded a hit as the Red and White finished with 12 hits in the contest.

"After game one I challenged the team on a few parts of the game and they responded well," Tudor shared.

Thomas, Smith and Vorbrink all registered two-hit outings in the day's second victory.

From the circle, Aikey went the distance while allowing just one hit and one walk. She finished with eight punchouts in the run-rule decision and moved to 2-2 on the season.

"I think all three pitchers threw well today with Aikey and Nunn only giving up one hit total and Sullivan adding eight strikeouts as well."

NEXT GAME: Saturday's slate at the Bobbie Bailey Memorial Tournament will feature a tilt with the host, Kennesaw State, at 11:30 a.m. CT, before a rematch with Wright State immediately after.

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