Picking up the only runs of the afternoon, TJ Webster notched her first career home run, an inside the park home run, good for three on the board for the Hilltoppers.
WKU 3, CHARLOTTE 0
The 49ers got going in the first frame with a solo shot over the left field wall from their leadoff. Charlotte later came back in the second inning for two back-to-back home runs to take an early 3-0 lead.
As the Hilltoppers were up to bat in the fourth, shortstop TJ Webster found the right field line corner as the 49er outfield shifted left. Webster picked up her first career [inside the park] home run on a 1-1 count at the plate, as Abby Newman and Kaytlan Kemp crossed the plate before Webster sprinted down the line and beat out the throw at home.
In the fifth inning, the 49ers knocked in an RBI double before a two-run home run in left field solidified the 6-3 score in the sixth frame. Battling back, the Hilltoppers loaded up the bases in the bottom of the seventh as Jessica Bush took over a battling 15-pitch at-bat, but came up empty handed.
In the pitcher's circle, right-hander Katie Gardner worked through six innings drawing no walks in the process. With six strikeouts, she gave up nine hits on four earned runs. Maddy Wood later came in for relief in the top of seven, only giving up two hits.
The Hilltoppers are back at the WKU Softball Complex Tuesday evening, for their rescheduled match up with Indiana. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.
TOP STORYLINES
- The Hilltoppers still hold the upper hand in the all-time conference series, 17-11.
- 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 .396 batting average, while also owning 40 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 267 hits, 156 RBIs, a .306 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.
