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"Overall, proud of the team's adjustments from playing Mississippi State game one to game two," began head coach Amy Tudor. "We played more like ourselves today. Obviously, it didn't end with the outcome we wanted and is hard to swallow. Thomas set the tone with the solo shot in inning one and in inning three while Ridge and Hage both drove in runs for us. Aikey competed in the circle well through all seven innings. We made great plays behind her and the offense provided run support just not enough for today. I was proud of the team's focus and fight today."
WKU Softball moved to 9-3 on the season following a 3-2 weekend in Starkville. Two of the Tops' three losses came to No. 18 Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are now 13-5.
Solo home runs by Jordan Thomas in her first two trips to the plate gave WKU Softball an early lead over weekend host, No. 18 Mississippi State in the Bulldog Invitational Championship.
WKU would tack on two more runs in the top of the fourth for a 4-0 lead. Kendall Smith opened the inning with a single and moved to second on a pickoff attempt error before scoring on a Jordan Ridge double. Ridge would score two pitches later as Brylee Hage drove her in with a single.
From there, every Hilltopper at bat would result in an out as Mississippi State's third pitcher of the game would no-hit WKU and record six strikeouts.
Mississippi State got on the board in the bottom of the fifth before scoring two runs in both the sixth and seventh frames to complete the come-from-behind victory.
Kelsey Aikey went the distance in the circle for the fourth time this season. She owned a one-hitter through the first 18 batters she faced, which carried into the bottom of the fifth inning. She would ultimately allow seven hits and four walks while striking out four MSU batters.
COMING UP
Red & Black Challenge | Ulmer Stadium | Louisville, Ky.
- Saturday, March 13 – vs. Valpo (1 p.m. CT) & at Louisville (3:30 p.m.)
- Sunday, March 14 – vs. Valpo (1:30 p.m.)
- Head Coach Amy Tudor is in her 17th season as a head coach – eighth on The Hill – this season with a career record of 427-351-2.
- WKU is now 3-5 all-time against Mississippi State with Sunday's loss at Nusz Park.
- Jordan Thomas delivered the second two-home run game of her career against No. 18 Mississippi State. She connected for homers in her first two at bats (1st and 3rd innings) of the game.
- The Bulldogs were featured in 3-of-4 NCAA Softball Rankings, coming in as high as No. 18 in the Softball America Poll. MSU is receiving votes in the two "official" polls (NFCA Coaches and USA Softball) and not rated in D1Softball's poll (no receiving votes listed).
- In the most recent RPI rankings (March 2020), WKU came in at No. 31 while Alcorn State is 274, Ball State comes in at 92 and Mississippi State owns the No. 20 spot.
How to Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook /WKUSoftball
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