Hot Bats Lead Tops to 25 Runs, Two-Win Day at Chatt Challenge

Friday, February 14

Chattanooga, Tenn.

10 a.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

4-2

Ohio

0-6

WKU

Ohio

Kendall Smith Amy Tudor handshake celebration

Hot Bats Lead Tops to 25 Runs, Two-Win Day at Chatt Challenge

2/14/2020 8:39:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 6 Game 7

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – WKU Softball's offense exploded for 28 hits and 25 runs across two wins on the opening day of the Chattanooga Challenge. Paige Carter (2), Kendall Smith, Kennedy Sullivan and Jordan Thomas each registered home runs while Smith and TJ Webster both posted a four-hit outing on the day. The Hilltoppers improved to 5-2 with wins over Ohio (13-4) and Chattanooga (12-2) as Kelsey Aikey earned both wins in the circle.

"Today was a great team effort," head coach Amy Tudor opened. "Our offense was consistent and impressive. We were able to figure out how to use all parts of our game across today's wins."

On the day, Carter (5-for-9; 5 RBI), Webster (5-for-5; 2 RBI), Sullivan (4-for-9; 4 RBI); Smith (4-for-8; 3 RBI) and Thomas (3-for-9; 7 RBI) combined for 21 hits and RBI. As a team, the Hilltoppers hit a collective .418.

From the circle across the wins, Aikey (3-1) tossed 9.0 innings allowing just three runs and eight hits while striking out 15 batters.

GAME 6: WKU 13, OHIO 4

Kennedy Sullivan connected for her first of two hits on the game with two-outs in the opening frame. Paige Carter stepped into the box and delivered her second home run of the season – first of three hits in the game – to give WKU a quick 2-0 lead. From there, Kendall Smith sent a 2-2 pitch out of the park as well for back-to-back Hilltopper home runs and a 3-0 advantage.

Carter and Smith are the first Hilltoppers to strike for back-to-back home runs since Smith and Shannon Plese did so against North Texas on April14, 2019 – also in the first inning of the game.

WKU added to its lead in the top of the third as Smith and Maddie Bowlds each delivered an RBI. Ohio responded in the bottom of the frame with three runs to pull the score within 5-3.

In the top of the fifth, WKU added another tally as Carter reach on a base hit before scoring on a double by Smith.

Ohio would add one more run in the bottom of the sixth to get within two at 6-4 but the Tops exploded for a seven-run top of the seventh for the final 13-4 margin.

In the seventh inning, Princess Valencia (single, walk), Sullivan (home run), Carter (reached twice on errors) and Smith (single) all batted twice in the frame and each reached at least once. Jordan Thomas (double), Madeline Rider (single) and TJ Webster (single) each added hits in the inning as well, bringing the Red and White's total to seven in the final frame.

Shelby Nunn earned the started and worked the first 3.0 innings with six hits and three runs allowed while walking one and striking out another.

Kelsey Aikey (2-1) would earn the win, pitching the fourth, fifth and sixth frames while allowing just two hits, one run, five walks and striking out six.

Katie Gardner worked the final three outs for the Tops and struck out two while allowing one walk and zero hits to close out the win.

GAME 7: WKU 12, CHATTANOOGA 2

Taylor Davis opened the game with a one-out bunt single before Sullivan slipped a double down the left field line to score Davis. Carter stepped into the box and deposited her second home run of the day over the left field fence in the form of a two-run shot to give the Tops a 3-0 lead. WKU would add another run on a bases-loaded walk by Carter in the top of the second, pushing its advantage to 4-0.

Chattanooga responded in the bottom of the frame, with a one-out solo home run for its first hit of the game before adding a second run on an RBI base hit.

WKU's 4-2 lead would stand until the top of the fourth when Webster poked a leadoff single to left field followed by a Jordan Thomas home run – her first of the season – pushing the Tops' lead to 6-2.

The Red and White added two more runs in the top of the fifth as Smith and Taylor Sanders each drew walks and would eventually come around to score. Smith would touch the plate on a single from Webster before Thomas' sac fly allowed Sanders to come home and push the lead to 8-2.

In the top of the seventh, WKU added four more runs to take a double-digit lead into the bottom of the final frame at 12-2. Morgan McElroy led off the inning with a single before a Sanders double brought McElroy all the way around to score. After a Bowlds walk, Webster and Thomas (2-RBI single) followed with base hits before Davis moved both into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Sullivan would then connect for an RBI-single scoring Webster for the 12-2 margin.

Thomas would finish with 5 RBI in the contest, making her the first Hilltopper with five or more RBI in a game since Adarian Gray did so in a 12-inning win over UAB in the 2017 Conference USA Tournament.

Kelsey Aikey would earn the win in the circle, striking out nine batters across 6.0 innings of work. The senior allowed six hits, two runs and four walks in her second victory of the day. Shelby Nunn closed out the final inning of work, allowing two hits while striking out one.

Next game: WKU Softball will return to action in the Chatt Challenge with two more games on Saturday from Chattanooga, Tenn. The Red and White will open the day with a 10 a.m. CT tilt against Tennessee Tech before turning around and facing Lipscomb in a 12:30 p.m. showing.

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