"I thought we were solid with all facets of our game today," began head coach Amy Tudor. "I am very proud of the team's focus and execution both offensively and defensively. Aikey and Nunn had great command today along with a stellar defense behind them. Offensively, we saw a lot of players step up in key situations with TJ being perfect today at the plate. I'm proud of our fight today."
Webster would finish a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate on Saturday while Paige Carter and Taylor Sanders each connected for homeruns on the day.
WKU (5-1) vs. INDIANA STATE (1-5)
WKU 6, INS 0
Leading off the game, Paige Carter worked her count to 3-1 before connecting with a no-doubt home run to left field for a 1-0 lead and WKU would own it the rest of the way.
WKU added another run in the score column in the bottom of the second when Maddie Bowlds drew a walk before swiping second and coming around to score on a hit and error play off the bat of TJ Webster.
Carter and Jordan Thomas opened the third with back-to-back singles before Kennedy Sullivan reached on an error to load the bases. After Princess Valencia pinch ran for Sullivan, all three Hilltoppers on board would come around to score. Kendall Smith plated a pair with a double to the gap before a Taylor Sanders sac fly scored Valencia for a 5-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Hilltoppers manufactured another run as Webster singled and stole second before advancing to third on a groundout. From there, Carter brought her home on an RBI ground out for her second RBI of the game.
Kelsey Aikey (2-1) went the distance in the circle for her third complete game – first shutout – of the season. The redshirt-senior racked up a season-best eight strikeouts against three walks and three hits.
The game had no shortage of defensive web gems. A few can be seen in the game's social media highlight video HERE.
WKU (6-1) vs. BOWLING GREEN (6-5)
WKU 8, BGSU 0 – 5 innings
A pitchers' duel into the bottom of the fourth, WKU broke open the game with a six-run trip to the plate. Jordan Ridge led things off with a single to left field before a sac bunt from Brylee Hage moved her into scoring position. Two batters later, Bowlds sent a base hit to left to score Ridge. Webster and Carter followed with walks to load the bags before Thomas sent a bases-clearing double to the right-center gap. Three pitches later, Sanders connected for a two-run homer to give the Hilltoppers a 6-0 advantage.
After retiring the next three Falcon batters – and final six BGSU batters overall – WKU closed things out with a run rule walk-off victory. Ridge walked to lead off the frame before Hage and Taylor Davis followed with singles to load the bases with no outs. Bowlds followed with an RBI single to left before Webster stepped into the box and sent a ball just over the shortstop's glove to score Hage for the walk off.
Shelby Nunn turned in a complete game shutout for the Red and White in the circle with six strikeouts against three hits and no walks to move to 3-0 on the season.
COMING UP
WKU Hilltopper Classic
Sunday, Feb. 28 – vs. Bowling Green State (1 p.m.) and vs. Indiana State (3 p.m.)
WKU Softball Complex | Bowling Green, Ky.
NOTES & RECORDS
- Head Coach Amy Tudor is in her 17th season as a head coach – eighth on The Hill – this season with a career record of 425-350-2.
- WKU improves to 13-2 all-time against the Sycamores with the win on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled to play for the fourth time this season on Sunday.
- With Saturday's win over Bowling Green, the Hilltoppers now lead the series 6-3.
- Paige Carter delivered a 3-for-4 game in WKU's win over Indiana State, connecting for a leadoff home run, double and base hit.
- TJ Webster also turned in a three-hit game, going 3-for-3 in Saturday's first contest before going 2-for-2 against Bowling Green for a perfect 5-for-5 day at the plate.
- Taylor Sanders connected for a two-run home run against Bowling Green, her fourth home run of the season.
- Kelsey Aikey turned in her third complete-game outing of the season, this time a 6-0 shutout win over Indiana State. She tallied a season-best 8 strikeouts in her third appearance of the season.
- Shelby Nunn took the decision in the day's second game with her first complete-game outing of the season, another shutout for the Hilltoppers. Nunn finished with 6 strikeouts against just three hits allowed.
- After a pair of shootouts with Indiana State at the Chattanooga Challenge, WKU Softball claimed Saturday's decision in shutout fashion, 6-0. WKU has now outscored the Sycamores 36-15 this season.
- In the most recent RPI rankings (March 2020), WKU came in at No. 31 while Bowling Green sits at 112 and Indiana State comes in at 133.
How to Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook /WKUSoftball.
