| FIU Series  // March 15-17  // WKU Softball Complex | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 25: FIUÂ | Friday, Mar. 15Â | 6 p.m. CT | ESPN+Â |Â Livestats | ||||
| Game 26: FIU | Saturday, Mar. 16 | 1Â p.m. CT | ESPN+Â |Â Livestats | ||||
| Game 27: FIU | Sunday, Mar. 17Â | 12 p.m. CT | ESPN+Â |Â Livestats | ||||
| Promotions | FRIDAY:Â Beach Night GIVEAWAY Ava Lunsford Trading Card giveaway to the first 50 fans! Morgan Sharpe Trading Card giveaway to the first 50 fans!! Foul Ball + Food Truck Fridays SATURDAY:Â Softball Youth League Day GIVEAWAY Annie White Trading Card giveaway to the first 50 fans! Rylan Smith Trading Card giveaway to the first 50 fans! Softball Bingo Saturdays SUNDAY: St. Patrick's Day GIVEAWAY Kendle White Trading Card giveaway to the first 50 fans! Becca Campbell Trading Card giveaway to the first 50 fans! The Sounds of Sunday |
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| Game Notes | WKU | FIU | ||||
| Series History | WKU leads, 39-36; Full History | ||||
| Social Media | @WKUSoftball   | @WKU Softball   | Facebook   | YouTube   | Tik Tok |
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BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The WKU Softball team is set to host its first CUSA three-game series this weekend, as the FIU Panthers are set to take the field with WKU at the WKU Softball Complex. The first game is set for Friday, March 15 at 6 p.m. CT.
WKU took their first Conference USA series against NM State last weekend, going 2-1, that included Katie Gardner's third complete-game shutout of the season as she was rewarded with this week's CUSA Pitcher of the Week. Taylor Sanders also broke the program's record and became the all-time home runs leader with her 39th and 40th home runs on Sunday. Morgan Sharpe batted .500 through three games, as Kelsey Schmidt picked up her third home run of the season against the Aggies.
While Schmidt knocked in her fourth home run of the season in the second inning, the Tops fell to EKU during their Wednesday midweek game, 2-1.
FIU is holding on to a 13-14 overall record, while posting 1-2 in the first weekend of Conference USA action, taking down Liberty in a run-rule last Sunday. The Panthers have picked up marquee wins including a doubleheader sweep over Rutgers and most recently, a midweek matinee win over Pitt, 3-1. FIU is currently sixth in the league in batting average (.272). while boasting a collective 3.45 ERA from the pitcher's circle.
Games will be broadcast on ESPN+ over the weekend. Scott Thompson (PxP) and Caylan Arnold (Color) will be on the call Friday and Sunday, while Mike Cleff (PxP) and Arnold will be on fro Saturday afternoon's game.
Fans can enter and purchase tickets on the north end of the stadium, down the sidewalk via the Creason lot in between left field and PS3. Tickets are just $5 for adults and $3 for children. Flex season tickets packages are still on sale by going online, calling 1-800-5-BIGRED, or visiting the ticket office in-person inside Diddle Arena, students receive free admission by showing their student ID.
Gates will open for fans one hour before the first game.
GAMES 25-27
Friday
Watch: ESPN+Â |Â Livestats
March 15, 2024 | 6 p.m. CT
Saturday
Watch: ESPN+Â |Â Livestats
March 16, 2024 | 1 p.m. CT
Sunday
Watch: ESPN+Â |Â Livestats
March 17, 2024 | 12 p.m. CT
TOP STORYLINES
- The Tops hold the upper hand in the all-time series against the Panthers, 39-36.
- WKU took their first CUSA series of the 2024 season, going 2-1 against New Mexico State in Las Cruces. The Aggies are the host for the 2024 CUSA Softball Tournament.
- Freshman Morgan Sharpe is first in CUSA with a .481 batting average that also leads the WKU batter's box. Fifth-year Katie Gardner is third among pitchers with a 1.48 ERA on the year, while the team as a whole is first in the league with a .318 batting average.
- After hosting FIU, the Tops are back at the Complex next week to host Morehead State for a midweek match up before hitting the road to LA Tech for another three-game series.
- On the stat sheet, freshman Morgan Sharpe is leading the tops with a .481 batting average off of 38 hits and senior Taylor Sanders holds 26 RBIs, with a .775 slugging for 2024, while leading WKU with nine home runs. Fifth-year Katie Gardner boasts a 1.42 ERA from the Hilltopper bullpen in 11 appearances.
- As a team, the Hilltoppers are posting a .318 batting average, while scoring 117 runs, and picking up 193 hits. The Hilltopper pitching staff is operating with a 2.21 ERA and earning 119 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.
