MIAMI, Florida – WKU Softball embarked on its penultimate series of the 2025 season on Friday, coming away with the 2-0 win over FIU thanks to two home runs from Kendle White and a shutout performance from Rylan Smith and Erica Houge.
Friday's win is the second-straight shutout for the Hilltoppers (26-19 overall, 11-10 CUSA) and ninth with two or more home runs, while Houge's save against FIU (29-18 overall, 11-11 CUSA) is her conference-leading fifth of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
WKU 2, FIU 0
Friday's win took only two swings of the bat as White was responsible for both home runs. White's first home run was the first lead off home run of the season while becoming only the second player this season to hit back-to-back home runs this season.
In the circle, Rylan Smith earned her 22nd start of the season and her 13th win after allowing only four hits through four innings but not a single Panther crossing home plate. Houge threw the last three innings of Friday's game and had three straight 1-2-3 innings to earn WKU its 26th win of the season.
NOTABLES
- Kendle White's lead off home run was the first since Paige Carter against MTSU on April 18, 2021.
- Friday's game is the fourth time this season the WKU pitching staff has not issued a walk in a game.
- It was the ninth time this season the Hilltoppers have had at least two home runs in a game.
- Erica Houge and Rylan Smith put together the second combined shutout of the season. Friday's shutout is also the fifth of the season.
- Kendle White became the second player this season to hit more than one home run in a game. Maci Masters is the other.
- The back-to-back shutouts at Louisville and FIU is the first time since 2023 that WKU has posted back-to-back shutouts.
- Annie White extended her reached-base streak to 13 games.
- WKU held FIU to a .160 batting average. Going into Friday's game, the Panthers were batting .291.
- With their efforts, Houge and Smith are now both in the Top 10 in CUSA in opposing batting average. Smith is at a .230 and Houge is at a .243.
NEXT UP
The Hilltoppers will look to take the series on Saturday with Game Two. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.
