Holding a slight advantage in a long standing series, WKU is 36-35 all-time against FIU, including nine wins in the last 10 contests between the two. The last game, back on April 3, 2022, resulted in a 8-0 run-rule game in favor of the Hilltoppers back in Bowling Green for the three-game series.
Last weekend on The Hill, The Hilltoppers took their first series outright since the March sweep over North Texas back on The Hill. In a pair of one-run games, WKU defeated Florida Atlantic, 3-2, in Saturday's first doubleheader game, followed by a 1-0 shutout in the second match up. Katie Gardner and Kelsie Houchens both went in for complete games, totaling 12 strikeouts at the plate. With the Hill- toppers' last midweek of the season, WKU hosted their first ranked opponent since Alabama in 2022 with the No. 12 Arkansas Razorbacks in Bowling Green Monday night. Despite a seven-strikeout effort from both Gardner and Houchens, the Tops were shutout, 7-0, on Monday.
This weekend's games will be available to stream on CUSAtv.
GAMES 46-48
Friday
WKU at FIU
CUSAtv | Livestats
Friday, Apr. 28, 2023 | 4 p.m. CT
Saturday
WKU at FIU
CUSAtv | Livestats
Saturday, Apr. 29, 2023 | 12 p.m. CT
Sunday
WKU at FIU
CUSAtv | Livestats
Sunday, Apr. 30, 2023 | 10 a.m. CT
TOP STORYLINES
- A long standing series, WKU will see the Panthers for the 72nd, 73rd, and 74th times in program history being conference foes. The Tops have won the last nine of 10, while holding the slight all-time series lead of 36-35.
- Head coach Amy Tudor earned her career 500-win mark in the Tops 9-0 win over Evansville. She is 514 all-time, while 297 as WKU's head coach.
- The three-game series with FIU will be the final regular season road series for the Hilltoppers, as they're back home for Senior Weekend against LA Tech, and have clinched a spot in the C-USA Softball Tournament, hosted by LA Tech in Ruston, Louisiana.
- On the stat sheet, Faith Hegh is leading the Tops with a .387 batting average, while also owning 53 hits. Taylor Sanders leads with 39 RBIs and nine home runs and while Taylor Davis has 50 hits and stolen 17 bases. Katie Gardner is leading the Hilltopper bullpen with a 3.83 ERA and 164 strikeouts in 33 appearances.
- The Hilltoppers collectively hold 335 hits, 156 RBIs, a .287 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.
