The Hilltoppers are now 23-11 overall and 6-5 in Conference USA. FIU moved to 12-24 and 4-11 in league play with the losses.
GAME 33: WKU 4, FIU 3
Paige Carter opened the game with a leadoff double before moving to third on a bunt single from Jordan Ridge. During Kennedy Sullivan's at bat, Ridge would steal second and an errant throw would allow Carter to touch the plate for a 1-0 WKU lead.
After FIU took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third with three runs on five hits, WKU got one of those runs back in its next trip to the plate. Smith led off the inning with a single and two batters later would slide in safely under the tag at home to pull the Tops within 3-2.
WKU added two more runs in the top of the fifth to take the lead for good. Ridge and Sullivan would lead off the frame with singles and two batters later, Bowlds would drop in a bunt single that scored Ridge. Brylee Hage also added a single in the frame, scoring Sullivan.
Sullivan drew the start in the circle and worked 1.1 innings before Shelby Nunn took over and tossed the final 5.2 innings. Sullivan struck out one and allowed one hit before Nunn came in and earned the win.
Jordan Ridge finished with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 at the plate while Hage added a multi-RBI outing.
GAME 34: WKU 10, FIU 1
Maddie Bowlds connected for her first of three hits on the day to get things started for the Hilltoppers in the top of the second. Kennedy Foote followed with a walk before Brylee Hage singled to load the bases. From there, Taylor Davis reached on a fielder's choice and error play that scored Bowlds. Webster stepped into the box and kept things rolling with a single to score Foote before Paige Carter delivered a sacrifice fly to left field for a 3-0 WKU lead.
Davis led off the fourth inning with a stand-up triple before Carter stepped into the box and connected for a two-run homer for a 5-0 Hilltopper lead.
FIU ended Katie Gardner's no-hit bid in the bottom of the fourth, striking for a solo home run to make the score 5-1.
WKU answered right back in its next trip to the plate. Smith led the inning off with a walk before Bowlds added a single and Foote advanced both on a sacrifice bunt. Hage followed with a sacrifice fly before a single from Davis scored Bowlds for a 7-1 Hilltopper lead.
WKU added another tally in the sixth inning as Carter connected for her second home run of the game on the third pitch of her at bat, giving WKU the 8-1 lead. Smith doubled and Bowlds added a walk in the inning but both were stranded.
The Hilltoppers struck for two more runs in their final trip to the plate. Davis and Webster struck for back-to-back one-out singles before Jordan Ridge stepped into the box and scored both with a single to left center for the final 10-1 tally.
Gardner pitched the complete game and allowed just two hits while striking out eight.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
- 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
