Katie Gardner had another dominant game from the circle, as she only gave up two hits and no walks while striking out five batters at the plate. Taylor Sanders saw action in the batter's box as she recorded her 13th multi-RBI game and plated the most runs since March 16.
WKU 3, MIDDLE TENNESSEE 0
WKU's only runs were in the second inning as Taylor Sanders cleared the bases from an RBI-double into right field and plated three.
The early 3-0 lead for the Tops would be enough, as right-hander Katie Gardner and the Hilltopper defense shutout Middle Tennessee. Gardner pitched her seventh complete-game shutout of the season as she opened up the ballgame retiring 10 straight. She gave up no runs off of two hits, earning five strikeouts from the circle, and dropping her ERA to 2.40.
Gardner allowed no walks during the ballgame, which marks the first time in her career she hasn't allowed a walk in back-to-back complete games.
TOP STORYLINES
- The Hilltoppers continue to lead Middle Tennessee, 50-34, in the all-time series.
- Taylor Sanders' RBI double in the third inning brings her career total to 175. She is now three RBIs away from tying the program record.
- TJ Webster and Morgan Sharpe were 2-for-3 in the batter's box during the afternoon. Webster leads the Tops with 16 multi-hit games on the season.
- Webster leads Conference USA with a .416 batting average, while her and Morgan Sharpe own 52 hits on the season to lead WKU.
- The Red and White continue to lead Conference USA in batting average (.305) and fielding percentage (.970) on the season.
- Katie Gardner is operating with a 2.40 ERA to lead the WKU pitching staff, producing 105 strikeouts at the plate. Rylan Smith is next in line with a 3.90 ERA with 97 strikeouts.
- WKU will head to Jacksonville, Ala. for their final regular season road test against Jax State. The three-game series is set to begin Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. CT.
How to Follow Hilltopper Softball: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on X at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball, and Facebook/WKUSoftball.
