The Hilltoppers' leadoff three: TJ Webster, Taylor Davis, and Faith Hegh all collected a multi-hit night. Brylee Hage and Drinnon also saw action at the plate off the bats.
WKU 3, FIU 7
After holding the Panthers hitless through three, FIU gained five on the board in the fifth inning with three RBI singles and an RBI triple to pounce on the Tops.
Not giving in, WKU bounced back with a an RBI single from Faith Hegh into left-center field, scoring two in the top of the fifth inning.
In the sixth, Randi Drinnon collected her sixth career home run with a 1-1 shot into left field, good for one run and leaving a two-run ballgame in tow.
The final pair of runs for the Panthers were a double and single off of Kelsie Houchens, now in relief, as the Hilltoppers couldn't come back in the top frame.
Katie Gardner got the go in the circle, giving up only five runs off of five hits and striking out four in 4.0 innings of work. In relief, Kelsie Houchens gave up two runs and collected a strikeout in the rest.
WKU will play game two of the series against FIU tomorrow, April 29, with first pitch starting at 12 p.m. CT.
TOP STORYLINES
- In a tight series, WKU and FIU are tied 36-36 all-time, having won the last nine of 11 contests between the two.
- 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 .390 batting average, while also owning 55 hits. Taylor Sanders leads with 39 RBIs and nine home runs and while Taylor Davis has 52 hits and stolen 17 bases.
- The Hilltoppers collectively hold 343 hits, 186 RBIs, a .287 batting average with 21 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.
