Tops Split Opening Day; Tudor Earns 400th Career Win

Friday, February 7

Troy, Ala.

10 a.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

Lipscomb

2/7/2020 3:53:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Game 2

TROY, Ala. – WKU Softball (1-1) split the opening day of the Trojan Classic from Troy, Ala., to kick off the 2020 season as head coach Amy Tudor collected her 400^th career victory. To open the day, the Red and White dropped a 3-2 decision to Lipscomb (1-0) before turning around and taking down College of Charleston (0-1) by a 7-3 decision.

"I thought we hit the ball well; we delivered base hits while also playing good small ball," head coach Amy Tudor said of her squad's opening day. "I felt like we were really strong in the circle; Kelsey Aikey and Shelby Nunn both threw really well. They were both composed on the mound."

"I'm thankful for all of the players and coaches that have been a part of these 400 wins with me," Tudor shared. "I can still remember the first one. I'm just really happy to see the team get a win today."

GAME 1: LIPSCOMB 3, WKU 2

WKU and Lipscomb met for the first of three scheduled games to open the 2020 campaign Friday morning from Troy, Ala. The Hilltoppers struck for both of their runs in the top of the second inning. Kendall Smith led off the frame with a walk before Kennedy Sullivan connected for one of her two base hits of the day. With two outs, Taylor Sanders drew a walk to load the bases before Taylor Davis delivered a two-RBI double.

After drawing the start, Kelsey Aikey worked a no-hitter through the first 12 batters of the game before Lipscomb broke into the hits and runs column with a base hit following a dropped fly ball. The senior would respond with two strikeouts to keep WKU in the lead, 2-1.

Paige Carter and Sullivan struck for back-to-back singles with two away in the top of the fifth but would end up stranded on base. The Bisons opened the bottom of the inning with a single. Aikey collected her eighth strikeout on the following batter before Lipscomb would add its third hit of the day. At that point, Shelby Nunn took over in the circle for Aikey and Lipscomb would strike twice to take the lead before WKU would turn two to get out of the frame.

Looking to answer, the Red and White registered three-straight singles to open the sixth inning from Taylor Sanders, Taylor Davis and Jordan Thomas. The trio would end up stranded, bringing WKU's total to 11 on the game.

Davis finished 3-for-3 at the plate with WKU's lone extra-base hit. Sullivan would end up 2-for-4 while Sanders went 2-for-2.

WKU out-hit Lipscomb 11-5 in the contest and owned four errors to LU's one.

The last time WKU lost a season-opener was the 2012 season.

GAME 2: WKU 7, COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON 3

Game two saw WKU strike first again, as a bases-loaded ball hit by Maddie Bowlds resulted in a College of Charleston fielding error that allowed Thomas to walk after she led off the second game of the day with a free base.

CofC would even the contest in the top of the fourth after a series of three-consecutive singles. The Hilltoppers would answer right back in the bottom of frame. Davis drew a walk and stole second before Carli Crowder drew a pinch-hit walk. Thomas stepped into the box and sent a double to left field to put WKU back on top, 2-1. Next up, Carter delivered WKU's first home run of the season in the form of a three-run shot over the left field fence for a 5-1 advantage.

In the bottom of the fifth, WKU would add two more runs. Sanders got things started with a single before stealing second and would move to third on a sac bunt by Maddie Bowlds. Davis followed with a squeeze that allowed Sanders to slide home safely. Two batters later, TJ Webster reached on an infield single before a double steal brought Davis home for a 7-1 lead.

College of Charleston would add two more runs in its final trip to the plate to cut the final score to 7-3.

Shelby Nunn earned the win in the circle before giving way to Katie Gardner for the final inning. The Tops out-hit the Cougars 7-6.

Next game: WKU will be back in action on Saturday with a 9 a.m. CT tilt against North Florida before closing the day against weekend-host Troy at 2 p.m. The game against the Trojans will be streamed for free on Facebook Live.

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