"Our circle was strong today and we made good adjustments offensively and defensively," shared WKU head coach Amy Tudor. "I'm proud of the way we fought today and for all players stepping up. Sullivan had a big day dominating in the circle and hitting the walk off."
WKU improved to 25-12 with the Friday sweep and now sits at 8-6 in C-USA play. Florida Atlantic moved to 12-33 with the setbacks and 6-12 in league games. WKU will be the first tournament host to make the eight-team field since 2014, breaking a five-season drought.
GAME 36: WKU 4, FLORIDA ATLANTIC 3
After Florida Atlantic struck first in Friday's opener, Paige Carter led the Hilltoppers off with a base hit and would come around to score on a single and error play from Kendall Smith, tying the game at 1-1.
The Hilltoppers would add two more runs in the bottom of the third when Carter, Jordan Ridge and Sullivan connected for back-to-back-to-back one-out doubles for a 3-1 WKU lead. Carter's knock was her 16th of the season, tying her for the single-season record, which is currently held by Jordan Thomas (2018) and Jessie Richardson (2000).
Florida Atlantic went on to tie the game at 3-3 on a Hilltopper error. The score would remain tied until the bottom of the seventh when the Tops entered walk-off territory. Princess Valencia stepped into the box and led off the frame with a pinch-hit single before Taylor Davis would return to the lineup as a pinch runner for her. Next, TJ Webster moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt before Carter and Ridge each drew walks to load the bases. From there, Sullivan connected with the second pitch she saw and sent it over the outstretched glove of the Owls' second baseman to plate Davis for the winning run.
WKU has now won seven walk offs this season and nine come-from-behind outings.
Shelby Nunn earned the complete-game win to improve to 10-3 on the seasons. She struck out a season-best six batters while allowing just four hits.
GAME 37: WKU 4, FLORIDA ATLANTIC 0
After retiring the Owls in order to open game two, Sullivan blasted a two-out home run to give WKU a 1-0 lead it would never relinquish. Smith and Valencia would also draw walks in the frame while Maddie Bowlds would strike for her first of two hits in the game as seven Hilltoppers made a plate appearance.
WKU tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the second as the squad batted through the order. Brylee Hage and Webster opened things with back-to-back singles before Carter drew a walk to load the bases. Ridge followed with an RBI hit by pitch. Three batters later, Bowlds and Valencia each struck for RBI base hits to push the Tops' lead to 4-0.
Florida Atlantic connected for its first hit that reached the grass in the top of the sixth, marking the second and final hit the Owls would earn off Sullivan.
Kelsey Aikey would relieve Sullivan for the seventh inning for her first appearance in two weeks. After handling a comebacker, Aikey would allow a harmless single that dropped just inside the left foul line. From there, she would strikeout the next batter before inducing a fly ball to first base and lock up the 4-0 WKU win.
With the strikeout, Aikey now needs eight to tie (562) and nine more to own the all-time WKU strikeout record.
Sullivan earned the win in the circle, moving to 7-0 on the season. She struck out a season-best nine while allowing zero walks and just two hits.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
- Saturday, May 8 vs. Florida Atlantic (Senior Day) – Noon & 2 p.m. CT
- Senior Day ceremony at 11:45 a.m. CT
How to Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook /WKUSoftball
