| Middle Tennessee Series  // April 19-21  // WKU Softball Complex | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 43: Middle Tennessee | Friday, Apr. 19 | 6 p.m. CT | ESPN+ | Livestats | ||||
| Game 44: Middle Tennessee | Saturday, Apr. 20 | 1 p.m. CT | Varsity Network | Livestats | ||||
| Game 45: Middle Tennessee | Sunday, Apr. 21 | 1 p.m. CT | Varsity Network | Livestats | ||||
| Promotions | FRIDAY: TOPS ON 3 Game GIVEAWAY Maddy Wood Trading Card giveaway to the first 100 fans! Randi Drinnon Trading Card giveaway to the first 100 fans! SATURDAY: Bark in the Park GIVEAWAY Dog mats to the first 250 fans! Cheyanne Sales Trading Card giveaway to the first 100 fans! Kelsie Houchens Trading Card giveaway to the first 100 fans! Softball Bingo Saturdays Play bingo every Saturday with up to 3 people winning a prize! SUNDAY: Kid's Day and Big Red's Rascals Day GIVEAWAY Kelsey Schmidt Trading Card to the first 100 fans! Jessica Bush Trading Card to the first 100 Fans! The Sounds of Sunday Listen to a variety of themed music every Sunday! |
||||
| Game Notes | WKU | MTSU | ||||
| Series History | WKU leads, 47-34; Full History | ||||
| Social Media | @WKUSoftball   | @WKU Softball   | Facebook   | YouTube   | Tik Tok |
||||
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The WKU Softball team is back at the WKU Softball Complex to host rival, Middle Tennessee, for another Conference USA three-game series over the weekend. First pitch for the series opener is set for Friday, April 19 at 6 p.m. CT.
WKU is coming off of a four-game stretch of non-conference games over the past week. The Tops fell 1-2 in the series at Ole Miss. Katie Gardner produced her sixth complete game shutout against the Rebels Friday, as she only gave up three hits and a walk while striking out four in the 3-0 victory. After the Tops' first SEC win since 2022, Taylor Sanders hit back-to-back home runs in the first and fourth innings on Saturday to tie WKU's single-game home runs record at 15.
Despite an early lead and a 2-for-2 day at the plate for Sophie Weber, WKU lost 12-3 to No. 23 Kentucky at the WKU Softball Complex Wednesday night. The Wildcats were the only ranked opponent the Tops' have seen all season.
Middle Tennessee is holding on to a 19-27 overall record and posting 5-13 in Conference USA action. Their lone series win this season was a 2-1 series decision in Murfreesboro against FIU in March. The Blue Raiders are stacked in middle of CUSA with a .273 team batting average and the pitching staff owns a 3.47 ERA that is third best in the league. Senior Shelby Echols is leading the Blue Raiders with a .329 batting average and leads Conference USA with 51 hits on the season.
Friday's series opener will be streamed on ESPN+, while Saturday and Sunday's afternoon games will be on the Varsity Network radio. Reily Chestnut will bring the play-by-play all weekend.
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. Tickets are also on sale by 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 43-45
Friday
Watch:Â ESPN+Â |Â Livestats
April 19, 2024 | 6 p.m. CT
Saturday
Listen: Varisty Network | Livestats
April 20, 2024 | 1 p.m. CT
Sunday
Listen: Varisty Network | Livestats
April 21, 2024 | 1Â p.m. CT
TOP STORYLINES
- WKU and Middle Tennessee have met 81 times in program history between two conference changes. The Tops lead the all-time series, 47-34.
- The Hilltoppers' all-time home runs leader, Taylor Sanders, is currently tied with 15 home runs for the single-season record and is eight RBIs away from the career RBI record.
- After hosting Middle Tennessee, WKU hits the road for their final three-game road series at Jacksonville State, before hosting UTEP back at the WKU Softball Complex to close out the regular season.
- On the stat sheet, fifth-year TJ Webster is leading the tops with a .388 batting average off of 45 hits and senior Taylor Sanders holds 42 RBIs with a .829 slugging percentage, while leading WKU with 15 home runs. Fifth-year Katie Gardner boasts a 2.61 ERA from the Hilltopper pitching staff in 27 appearances.
- As a team, the Hilltoppers are posting a .306 batting average, while scoring 200 runs off of 320 hits. The Hilltopper pitching staff is operating with a 3.53 ERA and earning 208 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.
