Seniors Shine as WKU Softball Splits Day Two in Troy

Saturday, February 8

Troy, Ala.

9 a.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

1-2

North Florida

1-0

North Florida

WKU

2/8/2020 9:38:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 3 Game 4

TROY, Ala. – WKU Softball split day two of the Trojan Classic, dropping a 3-1 decision to North Florida before handing Troy its first loss of the season with an extra-inning 3-2 win. In the circle, Kelsey Aikey matched her career-high with 13 strikeouts while earning the complete-game win. Paige Carter drove home the winning run in the top of the eighth and the Hilltopper defense remained in shutdown mode to lock down the Tops' second win of the season.

"I'm proud of the team's response after facing some tough challenges," head coach Amy Tudor opened. "We were tested and exploited but tonight we were resilient. We got great contributions from the seniors; Kelsey Aikey was dominant in the circle while Morgan McElroy and Paige Carter both in the field and clutch at the plate. I'm proud of their leadership as well as the entire team's effort.

Following two days of split results, WKU sits at 2-2 on the 2020 season. Sophomore Kennedy Sullivan would end up with two RBI for the Red and White on the day with one in each game.

GAME 3: NORTH FLORIDA 3, WKU 1

For the third time in as many games this season, WKU Softball scored first, as Kennedy Sullivan drove in the Red and White's lone run in the bottom of the third. Jordan Thomas led the frame off with a walk before being replaced by Taylor Sanders on a fielder's choice. Sullivan stepped into the box and sent a double to centerfield allowing Sanders to score from first for the 1-0 WKU advantage.

North Florida responded in the top of the next inning with three runs off two base hits and three walks. Shelby Nunn would take over for Sullivan in the circle during the frame and pitch the final 3.1 innings of the game while allowing just two hits. Sullivan (0-1) exited with four hits allowed, five strikeouts and eight walks.

Originally scheduled for a 9 a.m. first pitch, the game would begin at 10:08 and also included another rain delay nearly 40 minutes in length before WKU went to bat in the bottom of the fifth.

Sullivan, Paige Carter and Princess Valencia each recorded a hit for the Hilltoppers while North Florida finished with six in the contest.

Behind the plate, Kendall Smith threw out two of the three runners attempting to steal second base. She's now thrown out three runners through four games on the season.

GAME 4: WKU 3, TROY 2 (8 INNINGS)

In WKU's second game of the day, Troy struck first as the Trojans tallied a pair of runs in their opening trip to the plate. After back-to-back hits to lead off the game, Kelsey Aikey would strike out five of the next seven batters across the second frame as well.

Following a scoreless second inning, WKU saw Morgan McElroy lead off the third with a double while moving to third base on a single by TJ Webster. At the top of the order, Jordan Thomas sent a sacrifice fly to left field that cut the Tops' deficit to 2-1 scoring McElroy. Two batters later, Sullivan delivered a double that brought home to knot the score at 2-2.

Troy would record its fourth and final hit off Aikey in the bottom of the third in the form of a single – it would be the Trojans last base runner until the international tiebreaker rule was implemented in the top of the eighth inning. With a stretch of five-straight strikeouts from Aikey, WKU would retire the final 17 Troy batters of the game.

Thomas started the eighth inning on second base for the Tops and advanced to third base on a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by Taylor Davis. Two batters later, Paige Carter sent a single to left field to bring the winning run home. Bowlds would follow with a single as well before Smith loaded the bases with a fielder's choice before the inning came to an end.

In the bottom of the eighth, Aikey took care of the first out herself with her 13^th strikeout of the game to match her career high. From there, Bowlds handled a foul ball before Webster gloved the final out in shallow left field.

Picking up her first win of the season in the circle, Aikey recorded her third career extra-inning complete game win. The senior finished with 13 strikeouts against one walk while allowing four hits.

Bowlds finished 3-for-4 at the plate while McElroy had a 2-for-2 night in the box.

Next game: WKU close Opening Weekend play on Sunday with a rematch against North Florida. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m. CT. No stream will be available for that contest.

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