"Our offense was solid today and we had shutdown pitching," shared head coach Amy Tudor. "This was a really good team win."
WKU improved to 27-7 on the season with the win and is now 11-3 in Conference USA play. UAB moved to 20-15 overall and 8-3 in league action. The Hilltoppers have now won the last six meetings again UAB and for the first time ever, have won multiple games during a trip to Birmingham, Ala.
UAB struck for a solo run in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead that would hold into the fourth inning.
In the top of the fourth, all nine Hilltoppers in the batting order would make a plate appearance as WKU struck for five runs on three hits, two walks and a hit by pitch. Brylee Hage led the frame off with a double and two batters later, Kennedy Foote drew a one-out walk in her first at bat since taking over at third base in the field. From there, Curry added her second home run of the series – giving WKU a 3-1 lead.
Maddie Bowlds followed with a walk – her second time on base following a double – before Abby Newman was hit by a pitch. Stepping into the box next, Drinnon sent a two-run triple off the left field wall to push the Tops' lead to 5-1.
UAB would strand a pair of runners in scoring position in the bottom of the inning. In the fifth, both teams would retire the side in order.
WKU would double its run production in the top of the sixth with another five-run frame after sending eight Hilltoppers to the plate. Curry walked to lead things off before Kasia Parks took over on the bases for her and stole second while advancing to third on a throwing error. From there, Bowlds connected for a base hit to drive home Parks. Two batters later, Drinnon added a double to plate Bowlds and push the score to 7-1. A single and steal from TJ Webster pushed bother Toppers into scoring position for Taylor Davis who would strike for a two-run double. Hage added a base hit and induced a throw to second on a steal attempt that allowed Davis to steal home for the 10-1 lead.
Katie Gardner earned the complete-game win to improve to 9-2 in the circle on the season and 2-0 on the weekend at UAB. The junior pitcher allowed just four hits, one run and three walks while striking out three Blazers. The outing was her fourth complete game of the season.
WKU will go for the series sweep on Sunday with a noon CT first pitch from Birmingham.
TOP STORYLINES
- WKU leads the all-time series with UAB, 12-9 but trails 3-5 in games played at Mary Bowers Field following Saturday's win. The weekend series marks the first series the Hilltoppers have ever won at UAB.
- Coach Tudor is in her 18th season as a head coach – ninth on The Hill – and owns a 478-370-2 career coaching record.
- The Hilltoppers' win marked the ninth in come-from-behind fashion this season.
- WKU is now 8-4 when an opponent scores in the first inning and 8-6 when an opponent scores first.
- Bailey Curry connected for her second home run of the series and is up to nine on the season.
- Randi Drinnon's triple was the first of her career while her three RBI performance was her second of the season and second multi-RBI effort overall.
- Maddie Bowlds delivered another two-hit game for back-to-back performances of such for the first time this season. She now has four hits in five at bats on the weekend after a home run last weekend against FIU ended a hitting slump for the fifth-year senior.
