The only true freshman to start Friday – Morgan Sharpe – led the Tops from the batters' box, hitting .500 with two singles. Fifth-year seniors Taylor Sanders and TJ Webster followed suit with .400 and .333 hitting clips, as Webster picked up the lone RBI of the afternoon for the Red and White.
GAME 1: WKU 1, MISSOURI STATE 0
Katie Gardner's work from the circle highlighted the first of two games for WKU. The fifth-year right-hander tossed her 27th career complete game, picking up two strikeouts and only allowing four walks in 28 batters' faced.
Big defense from the infield also guided the Red and White, kicked off from a double play led by second baseman, Morgan Sharpe in the fourth inning. In the top of the seventh, after a sacrifice bunt, Taylor Sanders and TJ Webster combined for a rundown to catch the Bears' runner between second and third base for another double play.
The lone run of the contest was courtesy of Webster, beating the throw to first base after an infield hit to send Brylee Hage home after a single into center field.
GAME 2: WKU 0, IOWA 8 [5]
As the away team during the game, Taylor Sanders recorded the first hit of the contest with a blooper into right field before an inning-ending groundout.
The heavy-hitting Hawkeyes took advantage of sophomore Maddy Wood in her third career start. Giving up four collective hits, Iowa scored and picked up a 3-0 lead before freshman Rylan Smith took over in relief and worked out of the inning.
Back in the circle, Smith collected her first two career strikeouts, leaving both Iowa's Deven Greer and Rylie Moss looking.
Wrapping up the offense, Iowa collected two RBI singles and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third inning for a trio of runs before another RBI single capped off the fourth frame.
Redshirt-junior Kelsie Houchens closed off WKU in the fourth inning, drawing two walks off of one earned run. The Hilltopper bullpen combined for three strikeouts and four walks in the second game of the afternoon.
Games 3-5
WKU vs. Army
Field 2
Watch: GameChanger | Livestats
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 | 9 a.m. CT
WKU vs. NC State
Field 1
Watch: GameChanger | Livestats
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 | 12 p.m. CT
WKU vs. Kansas
Field 1
Watch: GameChanger | Livestats
Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 | 12 p.m. CT
TOP STORYLINES
- WKU widened the all-time series margin, taking a 3-1 lead over Missouri State. Iowa now takes a slight edge over the Hilltoppers, a 2-1 all-time series lead after the afternoon's game.
- Head Coach Amy Tudor now owns a 18-2 record in season-openers across her career. Tudor enters her 20th season as a head coach – 11th on The Hill – and owns a 520-402-2 career coaching record.
- The Tops are now 16-9 all-time in season openers.
- 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.
- In her career debut at second base, freshman Morgan Sharpe leads the Tops after day one with a .500 hitting clip from the batters' box.
- Katie Gardner leads the WKU bullpen with a perfect 0.00 ERA and two strikeouts after a complete game.
- 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.
