A longtime in-state rival, the Cardinals and Hilltoppers have met 23 times in both programs' history, as Louisville has taken a 20-3 all-time series lead. The pair last met in Bowling Green last season in a tough battle, with the Tops running up the score with a pair of late fifth-inning runs, but not soon enough for a 3-2 Cardinals win at the WKU Softball Complex.
Last weekend on The Hill, WKU went 4-1 in their home opening weekend hosting the 2024 Hilltopper Classic. Taylor Sanders slugged four home runs, as Morgan Sharpe hit over .500 in all five games through the weekend. From the circle, Rylan Smith posted a 2-0 record, striking out 14 in 13.1 innings. In a remarkable feat, TJ Webster was most noted over the weekend for picking up her second career inside-the-park home run, a grand slam in the second match up with Detroit Mercy.
The match up between the Tops and Cardinals will be available to stream on ACCNX with Suzanne Bush and Dr. Joanna Lane on the call.
GAME 16
WKU at Louisville (12-2)
ACCNX | Livestats
Don Dobina Field at Ulmer Stadium
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 | 3 p.m. CT
TOP STORYLINES
- Being a local rival, WKU and Louisville will meet for the 24th time in program history. The Cardinals own the all-time series record at 20-3.
- After the Tuesday midweek game, WKU is back at the WKU Softball Complex to host its final non-conference tournament, the Hilltopper Spring Fling. After going up against Dayton, Northern Illinois, and Southern Illinois, the Tops will head to Bloomington, Indiana for the second midweek of the year against Indiana.
- On the stat sheet, Morgan Sharpe is leading CUSA with a .551 batting average that's good for 10th across the NCAA. She also owns 27 hits, while Taylor Sanders is slugging .911, collecting 20 RBIs and six home runs on the year.
- The Hilltoppers collectively own a .343 batting average, 131 hits, 85 runs, and the pitching staff is operating with a 2.28 ERA.
- 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.
