Last weekend, right-hander Katie Gardner was lights-out from the circle as she took a perfect game into the sixth inning and shutout Liberty, 1-0, Friday. The Bowling Green native retired 15 straight and dealt six strikeouts at the plate in the series opener. The Hilltoppers went 1-2 in the three-game series as they fell Saturday and Sunday, despite home runs from Taylor Sanders and Annie White in the Tops' 7-5 loss in the series finale.
Ole Miss is slightly above .500 in their overall record this season, posting 3-12 in SEC play with conference wins over No. 17 Mississippi State and taking the series against No. 2 LSU. The Rebels are hitting .278 from the batter's box and even with WKU in the circle with a 2.96 combined ERA. Sophomore Julia Lassiter and junior Jaden Pone are leading the Rebels with a .336 batting average at the plate. Right-hander Makenna Kliethermes is leading the Ole Miss Pitching Staff, dishing out 81 strikeouts this season.
All three games will be broadcast on SEC Network+ with Jake Hromada (PxP) and Missy Dickerson (Color) on the call. Livestats and in-game coverage on WKU Softball's social media channels are also available.
GAMES 39-41
WKU (24-13-1) vs. Ole Miss (21-18) – Game 1
Ole Miss Softball Complex
Watch | Livestats
Friday, Apr. 12, 2024 | 6 p.m. CT
WKU vs. Ole Miss – Game 2
Ole Miss Softball Complex
Watch | Livestats
Saturday, Apr. 13, 2024 | 2 p.m. CT
WKU vs. Ole Miss – Game 3
Ole Miss Softball Complex
Watch | Livestats
Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024 | 1 p.m. CT
TOP STORYLINES
- WKU and Ole Miss are tied in the all-time series 2-2. This is the first three-game series meeting between both programs, as they have not played since 2022.
- Fifth-year TJ Webster is third the CUSA with a .408 batting average, picking up 42 hits in total. Morgan Sharpe is leading with 46 hits.
- Fifth-year right-hander Katie Gardner is atop of the pitching staff and second in CUSA with a 2.17 ERA. Freshman Rylan Smith leads with 88 strikeouts.
- First in CUSA with a team .309 batting average, the Tops have produced 188 runs off of 294 hits this season. The Hilltopper pitching staff is collectively working with a 2.87 ERA and has dealt out 197 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.
