WKU Continues Preseason Tour in Alabama

TROY, Ala. -- After opening the 2025 season in Georgia, the Hilltoppers return to Alabama to play in the Trojan Classic hosted by Troy.

TOURNAMENT INFO

Location: Troy Softball Complex
- Southeast Missouri
  - February 14
    - 9 a.m. CT
    - Live Stats
- Eastern Illinois
  - February 14
    - 11:30 a.m. CT
    - Live Stats
  - February 15
    - 11:30 a.m. CT
    - Live Stats
- Troy
  - February 15
    - 5:30 p.m. CT
    - Live Stats
- Alabama State
  - February 16
    - 9 a.m. CT
    - Live Stats

SERIES INFO

Southeast Missouri
- The Tops are 8-2 all-time against the Redhawks with the last win coming on February 20, 2022 by a score of 5-4. This is the third time in program history that the two programs will be meeting at a neutral site.
Eastern Illinois
- After a nine-year gap, the Hilltoppers took on the Panthers on February 24, 2024, winning 12-1 in five innings. Between the two programs the all-time series sits at 4-2 in WKU's favor.
Troy
- The Trojans are the only team this weekend that WKU has a negative record against, with the all-time series record sitting at 16-18. The last time the two programs met was February 8, 2020 with the Hilltoppers coming away with the 3-2, extra innings win.
Alabama State
- This will be the fifth meeting between the programs with the Hilltoppers taking the all-time record, 4-0. The Hilltoppers have not played the Hornets in eight years, with the last meeting coming as a 12-3 win for WKU on May 17, 2017,

ABOUT THE TOPS

The Hilltoppers finished with a 33-20-1 record in the 2024 season which included a run to the Conference USA tournament championship.
WKU went 1-4 opening weekend with a win against Belmont.
Sophomore infielder Maci Masters hit two home runs on opening weekend, the only Hilltopper to send any over the fence
Sophomore right hander Rylan Smith led the way for WKU's pitching staff, earning save and finishing the weekend with a 3.00 ERA
Redshirt junior outfielder Jenna Blanton posted a .500 batting average last weekend with with eight hits in 16 at-bats

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS

Southeast Missouri Redhawks
- Trojan Classic is opening weekend for the Redhawks
- In 2024, they finished with a 28-26 overall record and a 19-8 record in the OVC, with the Redhawks picked to win it all in 2025.
- On the field, offensively the Bruins were led by Abigal Rickermann who finished with a .361 batting average last season. Of their returners, senior Tori Bradley posted the best batting average in 2024 with a .340. In the circle, they were led by pitcher Patience Holman with a 2.41 ERA. Sophomore Maddie Carney returns with a .3.35 ERA.
- In 2024, SEMO won the OVC conference tournament championship
Eastern Illinois Panthers
- The Panthers are currently 2-3 overall with two wins over Prairie View A&M
- Offensively, they're led by Kendall Grover who possesses a. .375 batting average through EIU's first five games. In the circle, the Panthers are led by Mackenzie Oszlani with a 3.85 ERA.
- Also in the OVC with SEMO, EIU returns as the 2024 OVC regular season champions and was picked to finish third in 2025.
- EIU comes into 2025 having won the OVC regular season championship coming up short in the tournament against SEMO.
- EIU also had the Freshman of the Year in Mackenzie Oszlani and Player of the Year in Kendall Grover.
Troy Trojans
- The Trojans are currently 3-2 with two wins over Tennessee State and a lone victory over Central Michigan
- Offensively, the Trojans are led by Taylor McKinney with a .467 batting average with two doubles, three home runs, and four RBIs. In the circle, Troy is led by Esmee Ames with a 0.75 ERA.
- In 2024, Troy finished fifth in the Sun Belt Conference and was picked to finish fourth in 2025.
Alabama State
- The Hornets are currently 0-5
- Offensively, the Hornets are led by Talee Sims with a .500 batting average with one double and two RBIs. In the circle, ASU is led by Kaitlyn Hill with a 2.10 ERA.
- In 2024, Alabama State finished fourth in the East Division of the SWAC and were picked to finish fourth in the same division.

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Players Mentioned

Jenna Blanton

Maci Masters

Rylan Smith