WKU (23-19 overall, 9-10 CUSA) scored in every single inning as they cruised to their fifth run-rule win of the season over the Aggies (22-21 overall, 9-11 CUSA) thanks to a grand slam from Stinson, a home run from Maci Masters, and every single Hilltopper getting on base.
HOW IT HAPPENED
WKU 11, NMSU 3
Stinson continued to show why she earned CUSA Freshman of the Week with her sixth home run of the season that also happened to be a grand slam. The grand slam is the second of WKU's season with Kendle White and Annie White reaching with a walk, and Morgan Sharpe reaching with a bunt to third.
Back-to-back home runs from the Aggies was all New Mexico State scored until the fifth inning.
In the second, two walks put Hilltoppers aboard as Annie White singled to center field to score Kendle White. The second run of the inning came from a wild pitch that scored Annie White.
Up 6-2 going into the home half of the third, the sole run of the frame came from a single by Katie Murphy that scored Charlotte Herron who reached earlier in the inning with a walk.
Sharpe opened the bottom of the fourth with a walk as Annie White proceeded to score her with a double to right center for her second hit of the day to push the lead to 8-2.
With WKU's gap widening with almost every at-bat and a run-rule on the horizon, the Tops continued their dominance in the fourth as Masters hit her 13th home run of the season for a two-RBI shot to dead center.
Having earned the run-rule 10-2, the Hilltoppers added an 11th run in the fourth as Randi Drinnon singled to right center to score Macy Gregor who reached with her second hit of the day with a double to right center.
NMSU tried to avoid the run-rule scoring a third run in the top of the fifth, but Erica Houge forced a foul out to take her sixth win of the season.
NOTABLES
- WKU has now won three series on the season, Kennesaw State, LA Tech, and New Mexico State.
- The Hilltoppers scored a total of nine runs across both first innings in the series.
- Friday's game marked the 20th game this season at least one Hilltopper hit a home run. The game was also the eighth of the season with at least two home runs.
- Every Hilltopper reached either with a hit or a walk.
- Annie White went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate while Macy Gregor led in batting average at .667.
- Kennedy Stinson led in RBI with four.
NEXT UP
The Hilltoppers will look to take their first series sweep of the season on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT.
