At the plate, only Faith Hegh and Kelsey Schmidt pulled together for singles against MTSU's Gretchen Mead.
WKU 1, MIDDLE TENNESSEE 7
After a stellar double play that consisted of Katie Gardner striking out the league's batting average leader at the plate and catcher Randi Drinnon throwing down to second to catch a runner stealing, the Blue Raiders struck the board first with a two-run home run over the left-center field wall for a 2-0 lead after the opening frame.
Middle continued with a big five-run second inning that picked up an advancing on a wild pitch, two RBI doubles, and an RBI single for a hefty start to the game.
The lone run for the Hilltoppers was a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch off the forearm of Taylor Davis, sending Kelsey Schmidt across home plate for the final 7-1 game in the second inning.
Giving up no more runs in the rest of the contest, redshirt-sophomore Kelsie Houchens came in for relief in the middle of the second, pitching a stellar back half of the ballgame with five strikeouts and a walk.
Wrapping her senior season, Katie Gardner was credited with the loss and closes 2023 at 15-16 as she lead C-USA in strikeouts this year. She went 2.1 innings, giving up six runs off of four hits, retiring two at the plate. Houchens carried the rest of the work in the circle, giving up one run and six hits to the Middle Tennessee offense.
Capping a 30-24 record this year, the Hilltoppers graduate two fifth-year seniors, Taylor Davis and Faith Hegh, who played their last year of eligibility in the Red and White jersey.
TOP STORYLINES
- Holding their own in the "100 Miles of Hate" series, WKU still leads 47-34 all-time against the Blue Raiders. Going 1-2 this season, the Tops are 14-8 in Conference USA Tournament games.
- Head coach Amy Tudor earned her 300th win as WKU's leader in the series opening win over LA Tech. She earned career 500-win mark in the Tops 9-0 win over Evansville in March, while posting 519 all-time.
- Ending the year on the stat sheet, Faith Hegh led the Tops with a .371 batting average and tying with Taylor Davis with 62 hits on the season. Davis also owns 19 stolen bases, as Taylor Sanders leads with 39 RBIs and nine home runs. From the bullpen, Katie Gardner paved the way with a 4.02 ERA and 189 strikeouts.
- The Hilltoppers collectively held 395 hits, 212 RBIs, a .279 batting average with 23 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.
