Tops Beat UTEP 6-2, Claim Fifth Series Win

Saturday, May 4

Bowling Green, Ky.

1 PM CT

Western Kentucky University

31-18-1, 16-7

UTEP

24-19, 10-12

UTEP

Western Kentucky

5/4/2024 8:43:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The WKU Softball team clinched their fifth Conference USA series this season with a 6-2 victory over UTEP. The Hilltoppers drove in runs off of home runs, as Cheyanne Sales hit the Tops' third grand slam of the season and Taylor Sanders broke the single-season home run record.

Six different Hilltoppers picked up hits at the plate for WKU, as Sales plated a career-high four runs. Rylan Smith earned her 11th win of the season, giving up no runs off of two hits and striking out four before Kelsie Houchens came in for relief.

WKU 6, UTEP 2

After back-to-back singles and a walk, Cheyanne Sales took advantage of loaded bases and earned her fifth home run of the season with a shot into left field and drew a 4-0 game after the third inning.

With the 4-0 lead, Taylor Sanders broke the program's single-season home runs record with her 16th homer into left-center field, scoring two, and brought up a six-run ballgame after five.

Kelsie Houchens now in the circle for the Red and White, UTEP plated two runs in the sixth and seventh innings to cutting the deficit to four runs.

TOP STORYLINES

The Tops continue to lead the series, 11-3.
With her 16th home run of the season, Taylor Sanders broke the program's single-season home runs record.
Cheyanne Sales collected her fifth home run and the Tops' third grand slam of 2024.
TJ Webster continues to lead Conference USA with a .415 batting average and 59 hits.
The Red and White are tied with NM State in leading Conference USA in batting average (.299). They lead the league in fielding percentage (.971) on the season.
Katie Gardner is operating with a 2.40 ERA to lead the WKU pitching staff, producing 124 strikeouts at the plate. Rylan Smith is next in line with a 3.75 ERA with 101 strikeouts.
The Hilltoppers have clinched the two-seed and earned a first-round bye in the CUSA Softball Tournament in Las Cruces next weekend.
WKU and UTEP are back at the WKU Softball Complex for tomorrow the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 12 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.