Maddie Bowlds struck for the first hit of the game with a double in the bottom of the second but would end up stranded. An inning later, TJ Webster reached base on a dropped third strike before stealing her way into scoring position. Next up, a Paige Carter single to center would bring Webster home for the 1-0 Hilltopper lead.
UTSA took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth thanks to a leadoff home run, three free bases and a sacrifice fly. Katie Gardner would relieve WKU starter Kennedy Sullivan in the middle of the frame, limiting the Roadrunners' damage and beginning her superb showing.
Kendall Smith led off the bottom of the fourth with a single and moved to second on a groundout before the Hilltoppers had first and third following a Princess Valencia base hit. Smith would come home on a Brylee Hage hit to even the score at 2-2.
The 2-2 score would hold for three half innings until the bottom of the sixth.
Valencia led off the frame with her second hit of the game, marking her second multi-hit outing of the season. A single from Taylor Sanders moved Valencia into scoring position. With two outs and the top of the lineup due up, Carter drew a walk to load the bases before Jordan Ridge waited out what would be the game-winning bases-loaded RBI walk.
With a 3-2 lead, UTSA had three outs to work with in the top of the seventh and the top of its order due up as well. The Roadrunners recorded a leadoff single – the lone hit Gardner allowed in relief – but the Hilltoppers responded with three-straight outs including back-to-back strikeouts from Gardner to secure the win.
Gardner allowed four total bases runners in her four innings of work while striking out six. She moved to 6-1 on the season with a victory in her first collegiate postseason appearance.
WKU improved to 28-12 with Wednesday's victory and extended its season by at least two more games entering the tournament's double-elimination portion. UTSA's season came to a close at 14-31.
The Hilltoppers have won 10 of their last 11 games.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
- Thursday, May 13 – 2 p.m. CT vs. [1] North Texas | Livestats | ESPN+
- Friday, May 14 – Noon or 2:30 p.m. CT vs. TBD
How to Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook /WKUSoftball
