Lockdown Pitching, Scorching Offense Lead WKU to Two-Win Day

Saturday, February 15

Chattanooga, Tenn.

10 a.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

6-2

Tennessee Tech

5-3

Tennessee Tech

WKU

Kennedy Sullivan Kendall Smith Amy Tudor team

Lockdown Pitching, Scorching Offense Lead WKU to Two-Win Day

2/15/2020 5:53:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 8 Game 9

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – WKU Softball (7-2) pushed its win streak to six-straight games with a 9-0 run-rule win over Tennessee Tech (5-3) followed by a 7-1 victory against Lipscomb (5-2) on day two of the Chatt Challenge. Sophomore Kennedy Sullivan recorded a one-hitter against the Golden Eagles before Kelsey Aikey helped the Red and White avenge their season-opening loss to the Bisons in the day's second decision.

"Our offense was impressive again today," head coach Amy Tudor shared. "Sixteen runs in two games was great run support. Kennedy Sullivan and Kelsey Aikey threw well today; both had great command and composure on the mound. I'm proud of the team's attitude and effort today. We were locked in and focused."

In the circle, Sullivan (1-1) and Aikey (4-1) each tallied nine strikeouts in their complete-game victories while allowing a combined six hits and one run on the day.

From the batter's box, WKU notched a .340 collective batting average with 16 hits and 16 runs scored. Kendall Smith finished 3-for-5 with two home runs and six RBI. Six more Hilltoppers recorded two hits on the day. The Red and White went 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts with Taylor Davis swiping a pair.

WKU's victory over Lipscomb marks the squad's second win in as many days over NCAA Tournament squads from 2019. Chattanooga also appeared in the NCAA postseason last season.

GAME 8: WKU 9, TENNESSEE TECH 0 - 5 INNINGS

After allowing a double to the Tennessee Tech leadoff batter, Kennedy Sullivan wouldn't allow another hit for the remainder of the game to help WKU to its first run-rule victory of the season as the Hilltopper offense exploded for nine runs in four trips to the plate.

Sullivan would finish with the first one-hitter of her career while notching nine strikeouts against two walks to earn her first win of the season.

WKU's offense continued where it left Friday night, tallying 10 more hits across the win. A two-run base hit from Taylor Davis opened the scoring for the Tops, bringing Morgan McElroy and Maddie Bowlds around to score. Kendall Smith connected for her second home run of the season – a solo shot – in the bottom of the third to give WKU a 3-0 advantage.

In the bottom of the fourth, WKU put up six runs on five hits while sending 12 batters to the plate. All three batters that appeared twice reached base at least once. Jordan Thomas, Sullivan, Paige Carter, Smith (2) and Bowlds would all record RBI in the frame.

Thomas, Davis and Smith all registered two-hit games in the win. Smith drove in three while Davis had two RBI.

GAME 9: WKU 7, LIPSCOMB 1

In a rematch of WKU's 2020 season-opener, the Tops handed Lipscomb its second loss of the season in Saturday's second contest. The Bisons would strike first with a single and double in the top of the third inning but Kelsey Aikey and the Hilltopper defense would lock it down from there allowing just two more hits and two walks the rest of the way.

Lipscomb held a 1-0 advantage until the bottom of the fourth. Sullivan would reach on a one-out error, followed by a base hit from Carter before Smith sent the first pitch she saw over the fence in left-center to give WKU the 3-1 lead.

Taking the field with the lead for the first time in the game, WKU worked around a leadoff single from Lipscomb in the top of the fifth, which would end up being the Bisons' fifth and final hit of the contest.

Back at the plate in the bottom of the fifth, WKU would send 10 batters to the plate. TJ Webster led off the frame with a single before Davis drew a walk two batters later. From there, Sullivan sent a two-run double to the right-center gap to push the Tops' lead to 5-1. After walks were issued to Carter and Smith to load the bases, everyone advanced 60 feet on a passed ball as Sullivan touched the plate. Taylor Sanders filled the open base with a free pass before Bowlds connected for an RBI single to give WKU a 7-1 lead.

WKU retired Lipscomb in order in the sixth and allowed just one base runner across the final two frames, coming on a walk in the seventh. The Bisons would ultimately strand seven runners to WKU's six.

Aikey earned her second complete-game win of the season and moved her record to 4-1 overall. The senior struck out nine batters against just three walks while allowing one run and five hits on 130 pitches.

Bowlds would finished with a 2-for-3 day at the plate for another multi-hit performance for the Red and White. Smith (3) and Sullivan (2) each posted a multi-RBI outing.

Next game: WKU Softball will conclude its second weekend of play with a Sunday contest against Bowling Green from Chattanooga, Tenn. First pitch of the Tops' 10^th game of the season is slated for 9 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.