The Hilltoppers (29-19-1 overall, 14-10-1 CUSA) were down as many as two going into the third inning but were able to turn things around and collect a total of four runs in the third and fifth innings.
HOW IT HAPPENED
WKU 4, JSU 2
The Gamecocks (34-20 overall, 15-11 CUSA) got off to a fast start on Sunday with Emma Elrod hitting a leadoff home run for her 13th of the season. Ashley Phillips also took a round trip around the bases with a shot to left center in the second frame to put Jacksonville State up 2-0 going into the third.
In the home half of the third inning, Kendle White logged her 24th walk of the season to put a Hilltopper on the base paths, quickly followed up by Morgan Sharpe's first triple of the season for an RBI to cut the Gamecocks' lead in half.
With a runner on third, Annie White notched her third hit of the series with a single to center field to score Sharpe and tie the game at two.
Knotted up through four-and-a-half innings, the Hilltoppers got two aboard with walks as Kennedy Stinson singled up the middle to score one. Soon after, Maci Masters hit a deep fly ball to left field for another run and a sacrifice fly.
Up 4-2 in the sixth, Jax State hit their third home run of the game to cut their deficit to one.
Having taken over from Rylan Smith in the second, Erica Houge retired the side the top of the seventh to secure the final regular season win for WKU.
NOTABLES
- With the win, WKU secured the #2-seed in the Conference USA tournament, guaranteeing them a first-round bye.
- Since finishing March in eighth place and with a 4-7 record in CUSA, WKU has since posted an 11-3-1 record in CUSA to finish 15-10-1 and in second place.
- Continuing her hitting streak, Morgan Sharpe logged her ninth game in a row with at least one hit. Sunday's triple was her first of the season.
- Erica Houge earned her 10th win of the season. Houge has now won five of her last eight appearances.
- Smith and Houge kept the Gamecocks to a .166 batting average over the two games.
NEXT UP
The Hilltoppers get to stay at home as hosts of the Conference USA tournament. Having secured the #2 seed with the win, WKU earns a first-round bye. Their first game is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, at 12 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+. The opponent will the winner of the game between Jax State and LA Tech on May 7.
