WKU closed out its opening weekend in Clearwater, Fla. 3-1-1, picking up a marquee Power Five win over NC State, before tying 2-2 with Kansas due to a travel curfew. Right-hander Katie Gardner picked up two wins in the circle, dealing out 11 strikeouts. Cheyanne Sales and Taylor Sanders each collected six hits and a double over the weekend, Sales leading the WKU dugout with a .462 batting average.
North Alabama holds the best record of any program at the tournament this weekend, going 4-1 in Troy, Ala. only losing to the host Trojans. Chattanooga and Ball State are 1-4 after the first weekend of the season, only picking up wins over New Mexico and Fordham, respectively. Murray State has posted a 2-3 record in 2024 thus far.
There is no video stream of contests this weekend. Livestats are available and fans can check for in-game updates from WKU Softball on social media throughout the tournament. Tickets for the weekend are available at the gate or through GoMocs.com. Weekend passes are $25 or single-day passes are available for $10 a day.
GAMES 6-10
WKU (3-1-1) vs. North Alabama (4-1)
Frost Stadium| Chattanooga, Tenn.
Livestats
Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 | 11:30 a.m. CT
WKU vs. Chattanooga (1-4)
Frost Stadium| Chattanooga, Tenn.
Livestats
Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 | 4:30 p.m. CT
WKU vs. North Alabama
Frost Stadium| Chattanooga, Tenn.
Livestats
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 | 9 a.m. CT
WKU vs. Murray State (2-3)
Warner Park – Field #2| Chattanooga, Tenn.
Livestats
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 | 11:30 a.m. CT
WKU vs. Ball State (1-4)
Warner Park – Field #2| Chattanooga, Tenn.
Livestats
Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024 | 10 a.m. CT
TOP STORYLINES
- WKU Softball has never met North Alabama in program history. The Tops hold the all-time advantage over the rest of their weekend opponents, Chattanooga (5-2), Murray State (9-3), and Ball State (6-3).
- Redshirt-junior Cheyanne Sales leads the Red and White with a .462 batting average at the plate, collecting six hits including a double.
- From the circle, fifth-year Katie Gardner is operating with a 1.40 ERA, producing 11 strikeouts as she boasts a 2-0 record with two complete games.
- Second in CUSA with a team .309 batting average, the Tops have produced 17 runs off of 38 hits this season. The Hilltopper pitching staff is collectively working with a 2.48 ERA and has dealt out 24 strikeouts at the plate.
- 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.
