Ballgame with Kansas ends in 2-2 Tie; Gardner Named to All-Tournament Team

Sunday, February 11

Clearwater, Fla.

12 PM CT

Western Kentucky University

3-1-1

Kansas

2-2-1

Kansas

Western Kentucky

Ballgame with Kansas ends in 2-2 Tie; Gardner Named to All-Tournament Team

2/11/2024 7:45:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CLEARWATER, Fla. – In WKU Softball's first tie in 10 years, the Tops ended Sunday afternoon's ballgame, 2-2, with Kansas after a travel curfew (dropdead time) stopped the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with one batter through. Per the rules, the last full inning completed will solidify the game, thus the contest ended in six.

WKU outhit the Jayhawks, 8-6, as six different Hilltoppers saw action in the batters' box, as TJ Webster produced her 34th career multi-hit game. From her work in the circle over the weekend, fifth-year senior Katie Gardner was named to the NFCA Division I Leadoff All-Tournament Team.

WKU 2, KANSAS 2 [6]

Kansas got moving on offense in the opening frame with an RBI single to the left side and a bases-loaded walk to get an early edge at 2-0 to the Tops.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Hilltoppers produced more action from the box as third baseman Taylor Sanders got the Red and White on the board with a shot up the middle that had her advance to second base, scoring TJ Webster. Next up, Morgan Sharpe saw the field with a blooper into left-center field, scoring Brylee Hage to tie the game.

In the top of the seventh, Rylan Smith retired three from a groundout, strikeout, and pop-up in left field, before the Red and White came up to bat in the bottom frame. Taylor Sanders drew four balls to take her base before time was called and the game was suspended and ended in the sixth inning.

Against the Big 12 team, Katie Gardner got the start in the circle, giving up four hits and two runs in the first inning, struggling to find the groove. Freshman Rylan Smith later came in for relief, pitching the rest of the game. From her work in the dirt, Smith produced four strikeouts, while only giving up two hits and two walks against 18 batters faced.

TOP STORYLINES

The Hilltoppers and Kansas have never met before this afternoon's contest. After the tie, the all-time series is set at 0-0-1.
The Tops' last tie occurred in head coach Amy Tudor's first season at the helm. WKU tied with Florida Gulf Coast, 1-1, on Feb. 9, 2014.
The Hilltoppers will face seven Power Five teams in nine games this season, with Iowa, NC State, and Kansas being the first three and from the Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 conferences.
TJ Webster went 2-for-3 on the afternoon, picking up a run in the process in the nine-spot. Taylor Sanders and Morgan Sharpe each picked up an RBI for the Tops to pave the Red and White offense.
Because of the tie, there are no changes to the pitchers' records. Coming in for relief, Rylan Smith pitched 5.0 innings, only giving up two hits and two walks, while producing no Jayhawk runs and four strikeouts from the circle.
In the Conference USA Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Hilltoppers were predicted to finish second in CUSA, while fifth-year infielders Taylor Sanders and TJ Webster along with right-hander Katie Gardner were named CUSA Preseason All-Conference.

How to Follow Hilltopper Softball: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on X at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball, and Facebook/WKUSoftball.