Off the bats, Taylor Davis was .667 at the plate between both games, securing a game-winning RBI triple and four hits on the afternoon. Faith Hegh was three-for-six, while Kaytlan Kemp went two-for-five for the Hilltopper offense.
Game 1: WKU 3, FLORIDA ATLANTIC 2
The Hilltoppers got an early first inning lead with a sacrifice-fly off the bat of Brylee Hage after a Faith Hegh leadoff double – her 18th of the season as the nation's doubles leader. Later in the frame, Kaytlan Kemp shot her third triple of the year down the right field line, good for an RBI as Taylor Davis went home.
The Owls drew a run across the board as an RBI double in the second inning plated a 2-1 ballgame in the Hilltoppers' favor.
FAU's two-spot hitter picked up the only home run on the afternoon: a 0-0 pick into right-center field that drew the tying run.
WKU clinched the game in the bottom of the fourth: second baseman Abby Newman singled down the left field line on the 0-2 as Kemp headed across the plate for the go-ahead.
In the circle, Katie Gardner picked up her 15th complete game of the season that included only two runs off of four hits, six strikeouts and four walked batters in her seven innings of work.
Game 2: WKU 1, FLORIDA ATLANTIC 0
Picking up the .667 day at the plate, Davis notched the first hit of the ballgame with a bunt infield single right to third base in the first inning.
Starting at catcher, Jessica Bush popped in a blooper into shallow left field for a single to get into scoring position in the fifth.
The lone run of the game was curtesy of Taylor Davis who picked up her third triple of her career. The Madison, Ala. native swung on the 1-1 pitch, where the ball hit into left-center field past the fielder and sent Hegh home.
Kelsie Houchens pitched her third complete game of the season, as she gained no runs off of five hits. She walked seven, but put away six right at the plate for her second career shutout.
The Tops will face Florida Atlantic for the series finale tomorrow at the WKU Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.
TOP STORYLINES
- The Hilltoppers are inching towards an all-time series tie with the Owls, now standing at 27-26, FAU.
- Head coach Amy Tudor earned her career 500-win mark in the Tops 9-0 win over Evansville. She is 513 all-time, while 296 as WKU's head coach.
- On the stat sheet, Faith Hegh is leading the Tops with a .408 batting average, while also owning 53 hits. Taylor Sanders leads with 39 RBIs and nine home runs and while Taylor Davis has 47 hits and stolen 17 bases.
- The Hilltoppers collectively hold 327 hits, 182 RBIs, a .293 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.
