"A great team win tonight," opened WKU head coach Amy Tudor. "We played a very complete game from start to finish. Sullivan's consistent performances at the plate have been key for our offense and provided a spark for our line up."
In addition to her back-to-back home runs, Sullivan would draw three walks to close the game as the redshirt-sophomore reached base in all five plate appearances.
WKU claimed its third-straight game with the win, improving to 21-11 on the season and 4-5 in Conference USA play. FIU is now 12-22 overall and 4-9 in league play.
Jordan Ridge connected for the first of her two hits on the day in the game's second at bat bringing Kennedy Sullivan to the plate who would send a 2-2 pitch out of the park for a quick 2-0 WKU lead. Smith would follow with a walk before Maddie Bowlds and Brylee Hage singled to load the bases. Taylor Davis would ultimately reach on an error that would score Smith for a 3-0 Hilltopper lead before the squad ever took the field.
FIU got on the board in the bottom of the frame but would only plate one runner.
After all nine Hilltoppers made a plate appearance in the opening inning, Ridge connected for a one-out single in the top of the second before Sullivan connected for her second home run of the game to push the WKU advantage to 5-1.
The multi-homer game is the first of Sullivan's career as she becomes the first Hilltopper to reach double-digit long balls this season at 10. Sullivan has now hit a home run in three-consecutive games.
WKU added three more runs in the top of the fourth for an 8-1 lead. After Sullivan led off the frame with a walk, Smith and Bowlds followed with base hits. Two batters later, a Kennedy Foote double down the left field line scored Bowlds and Smith. Davis would also score during a fielder's choice play that ended the inning.
WKU came back for the bottom of the fifth from a lightning delay and stranded the lone FIU runner that reached base. Both sides would end up scoreless in the fifth and sixth frames.
WKU added its ninth run in the top of the seventh as Webster and Carter sent back-to-back doubles to the grass for the final 9-1 tally.
Sullivan tossed 4.0 innings in the circle, allowing just three hits and one earned run while striking out four. Nunn came on in relief following the lightning delay and worked the final 3.0 frames allowing just two hits while striking out a pair. Sullivan earned the win while Nunn earned her second save of the season.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
- Saturday, May 1 – Noon & 2 p.m. at FIU | Miami, Fla.
- Sunday, May 2 – 11 a.m. CT at FIU | Miami, Fla.
How to Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook /WKUSoftball
