Katie Gardner completed game number nine with a 10-strikeout, three-walk job in the circle, as seven different Hilltoppers collected hits on the night.
Game 1: WKU 3, CHARLOTTE 0
Picking up the only runs in the third, outfielder Brylee Hage knocked in a sacrifice-fly into center field to score home designated hitter Kaytlan Kemp to get the Hilltoppers on the board.
Later in the inning, Kelsey Schmidt reached the bag off of a 49er throwing error, that later led TJ Webster and Taylor Davis across the plate safe for the final 3-0 score.
Webster went two-for-three in the box as the only Topper to have a multi-hit game of the day, while Faith Hegh, Davis, Hage, and Kelsey Schmidt all notched a hit from the batter's box.
In the pitcher's circle, right-hander Katie Gardner worked through a complete game and pitched a no-hitter through the fifth inning. The Bowling Green native completed her shutout with only one hit, walking three, and matching her season-high 10 strikeouts to the Charlotte batters.
Game 2: WKU 0, CHARLOTTE 11
As freshman Maddy Wood gained the second career start of her career in the circle, the 49ers got things moving quickly in the top frame. After a fielder's choice turned into a Hilltopper error, the 49ers picked up two on the board. They later came by with an RBI triple and RBI single to finished the opening inning with a 5-0 lead.
In the second frame, an RBI double down the right field line left 6-0 on the board as redshirt-sophomore Kelsie Houchens came in for relief.
Charlotte got the best of WKU, after two two-run home runs in the fifth inning, Wood reentered the ballgame before an RBI triple off a 49er bat solidified the 11-0 run-rule game.
Off the Hilltopper bats, Hage, Randi Drinnon, and Abby Newman all pulled out singles in the contest to break up a Charlotte no-hitter.
Split work between Wood and Houchens in the dirt, the two pulled together for only two walks and two strikeouts.
The series dealbreaker is set for tomorrow, April 2 at the WKU Softball Complex. First pitch for Sunday is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.
TOP STORYLINES
- The Hilltoppers hold the upper hand in the all-time conference series, 17-10.
- Head coach Amy Tudor earned her career 500-win mark in the Tops 9-0 win over Evansville. She is 510 all-time, while 293 as WKU's head coach.
- On the stat sheet, Faith Hegh is leading the Tops with a .381 batting average, while also owning 37 hits. Taylor Sanders leads with 39 RBIs and nine home runs and while Taylor Davis has 38 hits and stolen 15 bases.
- The Hilltoppers collectively hold 261 hits, 156 RBIs, a .309 batting average with 15 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.
