UTEP Takes Hilltoppers in C-USA Opener

Friday, March 17

El Paso, TX

7 p.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

15-9, 0

UTEP

10-14, 0

Western Kentucky

UTEP

3/17/2023 10:23:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

EL PASO, Texas – In the series and league opener for WKU Softball, the Hilltoppers dropped 3-6 in a heartbreaking, walkoff fashion to the UTEP Miners at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex in El Paso. In the eight inning match up, senior Taylor Sanders picked up her 28th career home run while, right-handers Katie Gardner and Kelsie Houchens combined for six strikeouts.

Fifth-year senior Faith Hegh went two-for-four on the evening, while five other Hilltoppers picked up a hit for the three runs on the board.

WKU 3, UTEP 6

After two scoreless and hitless innings, the Hilltoppers got things moving in the top of the third with a two-run shot off the bat of Taylor Sanders on a 2-2 count for her sixth home run in 2023. The Miners took one back after an RBI double into the gap in the bottom half of the frame for a 2-1 ballgame after three.

WKU came back in with an insurance run with a stand-up RBI double from Faith Hegh – the Hilltopper's doubles leader this season – scoring designated hitter Kaytlan Kemp and giving a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning.

A two-run home run into left field from the Miners in the bottom frame tied the game at three apiece before redshirt-sophomore Kelsie Houchens came in for relief.

With no action in the seventh inning, the Tops and Miners played extras, but the Hilltoppers were marginalized after a home run into left field scored three and walked off UTEP for the final.

Due to the impending weather in El Paso, game two of the series tomorrow has been moved up to 3 p.m. CT.

TOP STORYLINES

The Hilltoppers still hold the upper hand in the all-time conference series, 7-3.
Head coach Amy Tudor earned her career 500-win mark in the Tops 9-0 win over Evansville. She is 504 all-time, while 287 as WKU's head coach.
The Hilltoppers have won every conference opening series since joining C-USA in 2015, including four sweeps.
On the stat sheet, Taylor Sanders is now leading the Tops with a .403 batting average off of 29 hits, 27 RBIs, and six home runs, Brylee Hage and Faith Hegh hold 27 hits, while Taylor Davis has stolen 11 bases.
The Hilltoppers collectively hold 199 hits, 115 RBIs, a .314 batting average with 11 home runs.
In the Conference USA Preseason Coaches Poll, the Hilltoppers were predicted to finish second in C-USA, while fifth-year outfielder Taylor Davis was named to the Preseason All-Conference team.

How to Follow Hilltopper Softball: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball, and Facebook/WKUSoftball.