Smith's 3-Hit Day, Aikey's 13 Strikeouts Lead WKU to Shutout Victory

Sunday, February 23

Bowling Green, Ky.

11 a.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

11-4

Green Bay

3-12

Green Bay

WKU

Smith's 3-Hit Day, Aikey's 13 Strikeouts Lead WKU to Shutout Victory

2/23/2020 3:34:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Hilltopper Classic Stats Game 15 Coach Tudor Interview Kelsey Aikey Interview Kennedy Sullivan Interview

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Softball claimed a 3-0 shutout win over Green Bay to conclude the Hilltopper Classic and improve to 11-4 on the season. Kendall Smith went 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI while Kelsey Aikey earned the complete-game shutout win in the circle while matching her career high with 13 strikeouts.

"I'm a little disappointed in our weekend performance overall but I am proud of the way we bounced back today with a win," head coach Amy Tudor stated.

Aikey would record the first six outs of the game for the Hilltopper defense as the Phoenix posted two of their three hits in the second inning. She would punch out eight of the first 11 batters en route to her 13 strikeouts on the afternoon. With the help of the Red and White's defense just two of the final 12 Green Bay batters would reach base, coming from a walk and error.

Taylor Davis struck for singles in the first and third innings. In the third, her single followed one from Jordan Thomas. Two batters later, Smith connected for a two-RBI knock to left-center field to give the Hilltoppers all the offense they would need. Morgan McElroy reached base with a single and Taylor Sanders earned a base after a hit by pitch but all three would end up stranded.

WKU would add its final tally in the bottom of the sixth after Brylee Hage led off the frame with a pinch-hit triple to the leftfield wall. Maggie Trgo would follow with a pinch-hit RBI-groundout to plate Webster for the 3-0 advantage.

With the win, Aikey is now 6-2 in the circle this season. Her 13 strikeouts marked the third time this season she's registered double-digit punchouts.

Entering the game, Kennedy Sullivan had reached base in all 14 contests of the season – a streak that would end in the Hilltopper Classic finale.

Smith's three-hit day was her fourth multi-hit game of her junior campaign. Davis' two knocks marked her fifth multi-hit contest of the season.

WKU Softball will continue its 14-game homestand next weekend as IUPUI, Austin Peay and Illinois State come to town for the Spring Fling. Action on The Hill will span Friday-Sunday from the WKU Softball Complex.

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