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The Tops drew 16 walks during the seven innings, now marking the new single game record for the program.
WKU 14, UTEP 7
The Miners plated two in the top of their first frame with a sacrifice-fly and RBI single to gain an early lead.
WKU came back the following inning and took advantage of catcher Randi Drinnon's RBI double into left field for the first hit on the board. UTEP would later give up a bases-loaded walk, while third baseman Taylor Sanders would hit a fielder's choice to the shortstop, scoring TJ Webster for the 3-2 lead.
An explosive eight-run third inning, Drinnon later picked up a fastball down the middle on a 1-2 count for her first home run of the season over the left field wall, scoring two. The Miners would eventually walk three consecutive with bases-loaded, giving a 8-2 advantage to the Tops.
Now leading the Hilltoppers in triples this season, freshman second baseman Kaytlan Kemp sent one down the left field line and put the wheels on running to the third bag. She cleared the bases, picking up three RBIs to end the third inning with 11 Hilltopper runs on the board.
In the bottom half of the frame, UTEP took advantage of a fielder's choice and an RBI double into left field to wager the score, 11-5.
The Miners ended their runs in the bottom of the fourth inning with a two-run double down the left field line, solidifying their seven runs for the final.
Picking up her second hit in five games, center fielder Brylee Hage found the gap into left-center field for a stand-up double and picking up two RBIs to finalize the 14-7 win.
All three pitchers saw action in the matinee match up. Kelsie Houchens got the start, while Maddy Wood earned the win and saw time in the middle, while senior Katie Gardner closed out the final three innings. They combined for six strikeouts, six walks, and giving up seven hits.
The Hilltoppers and Miners will settle the series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT and streaming is available on CUSAtv.
TOP STORYLINES
- The Hilltoppers hold the upper hand in the all-time conference series, 8-3.
- Head coach Amy Tudor earned her career 500-win mark in the Tops 9-0 win over Evansville. She is 505 all-time, while 288 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, TJ Webster is now leading the Tops with a .391 batting average, while Taylor Sanders has 29 hits, 29 RBIs, and six home runs. Brylee Hage hold 28 hits, while Taylor Davis has stolen 11 bases.
- The Hilltoppers collectively hold 209 hits, 129 RBIs, a .316 batting average with 12 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.
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