Pitching, Gardner struck out an immense five batters at the plate – the most of any Power Five opponent faced this season. Faith Hegh got moving on offense for the Red and White with her 15th multi-hit game of her WKU career.
WKU 2, LOUISVILLE 3
A quiet start for both teams as the Hilltoppers' Kaytlan Kemp was the first to record a hit up the middle in the bottom of the second, after Gardner picked up a first inning strikeout and retired three straight in the top of two.
Later in the third inning, Gardner would notch her third three-strike strikeout of the season, as the Cardinals Hannah File struck out looking after an 0-2 count.
Louisville got moving on the board first: a solo home run right down to center field sealed the first run of the fourth inning. The Cards would later pick up an unearned RBI double for a 2-0 lead.
Waging the gap more in the top of the fifth, Louisville would head home once more on an RBI groundout to the six-spot for their final run of the evening in Bowling Green.
WKU didn't back down in the batter's box. Outfielder Brylee Hage sliced a two-run single up the middle, scoring Hegh and pinch runner Kasia Parks to put the Hilltoppers in a better scoring contention.
While Gardner put away eight straight in the next two innings with no harm done at home plate, it wasn't enough for the home team with a 3-2 boxscore.
Moving to a 11-12 record on the year, Katie Gardner worked through the circle only giving up three runs off of five hits. She walked three at the plate while striking out five – compared to Louisville's combined two K's to the Hilltopper offense on the night.
WKU is set to take on Florida Atlantic for another Conference USA three-game series, Friday-Sunday at the WKU Softball Complex. First pitch of the series is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. CT.
TOP STORYLINES
- The Red team battle continues, as Louisville still holds the all-time series record, 20-3.
- Head coach Amy Tudor earned her career 500-win mark in the Tops 9-0 win over Evansville. She is 512 all-time, while 295 as WKU's head coach.
- On the stat sheet, Faith Hegh is leading the Tops with a .403 batting average, while also owning 50 hits. Taylor Sanders leads with 39 RBIs and nine home runs and while Taylor Davis has 43 hits and stolen 16 bases.
- The Hilltoppers collectively hold 315 hits, 178 RBIs, a .294 batting average with 20 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.
