Before a declared no contest game with Indiana on Tuesday due to weather, the Tops went 3-1 in their last tournament of the regular season at home, the Hilltopper Spring Fling. Katie Gardner completed her second complete game shutout of the season against Dayton, while Rylan Smith notched her first career complete game and a 0.00 ERA against Northern Illinois on day one. Against NIU on day two, Taylor Sanders tied the program record for career home runs in the second inning with 38. WKU would eventually fall to Southern Illinois in the nightcap, 2-0, in extras.
NM State is currently 10-9 on the season, picking up marquee wins over [RV] Nebraska, [RV] Grand Canyon, and Arizona State, but have lost their last four games in their non-conference slate. The Aggies are fifth in the league in batting average (.284), while posting last in team fielding (.925). NMSU's biggest weapon is right-handed pitcher/batter, Desirae Spearman, who already owns two CUSA Freshman of the Week honors.
There is no video stream of contests this weekend, radio will be live on 91.5 FM KRUX or online. Livestats are available and fans can check for in-game updates from WKU Softball on social media throughout the weekend.
GAMES 22-24
WKU (13-6-1) vs. NM State (10-9) – Game 1
NM State Softball Complex
Listen | Livestats
Friday, Mar. 8, 2024 | 7 p.m. CT
WKU vs. NM State – Game 2
NM State Softball Complex
Listen | Livestats
Saturday, Mar. 9, 2024 | 5 p.m. CT
WKU vs. NM State – Game 3
NM State Softball Complex
Listen | Livestats
Sunday, Mar. 10, 2024 | 1 p.m. CT
TOP STORYLINES
- WKU and NM State have conference ties back when both programs were a part of the Sun Belt Conference. The Tops lead the all-time series at 15-8, having last won a SBC Tournament game in Bowling Green in 2005. WKU was last in Las Cruces for a four-game series in 2004.
- Since joining CUSA in 2014, WKU is 7-3 in conference openers, all under the helm of head coach Amy Tudor.
- Freshman Morgan Sharpe is leading the league with a .500 batting average, picking up 32 hits in total.
- Fifth-year senior Taylor Sanders had tied the program record for career home runs last weekend with her 38th.
- Fifth-year right-hander Katie Gardner is atop of the pitching staff with a 1.63 ERA. Freshman Rylan Smith leads with 42 strikeouts.
- First in CUSA with a team .324 batting average, the Tops have produced 103 runs off of 165 hits this season. The Hilltopper pitching staff is collectively working with a 2.31 ERA and has dealt out 95 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.
