GAME INFO
Location: Sikes Field, Macon, Ga.
- Feb. 13: Army (9 AM CT) / Mercer (11:30 AM CT)
- Follow vs. Army: StatBroadcast
- Follow vs. Mercer: StatBroadcast
- Feb. 14: Iowa (11:30 AM CT) / Mercer (4:30 PM CT)
- Follow vs. Army: StatBroadcast
- Follow vs. Mercer StatBroadcast
- Feb. 8: Army (9 AM CT)
- Follow: StatBroadcast
- WKU had not gone 4-1 on opening weekend since posting the same record during the 2021 season. Speareading that charge was sophomore right hander Erica Houge who posted a dazzling 0.00 ERA and a .153 opposing batting average in 17.0 innings of work. In those 17 innings, she totaled 16 strikeouts and needed just 63 pitches in the 1-0 shutout of host Georgia Southern.
- In addition, Houge earned three wins on the weekend and was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week after tossing 16.2 of WKU's 20.2 scoreless innings.
- The Tops also accumulated three home runs this weekend from Annie White, Maci Masters, and Charlotte Herron.
- Annie White posted the best offensive performance over the weekend with a .417 batting average. She went five-for-12 with four runs scored, one double, a home run, and three RBI. She also posted a .750 slugging percentage and a .556 on-base percentage.
- Charlotte Herron proved to be a tough out, going 14 at-bats without a single strikeout. She slashed .357/.571/.438 over the weekend. Jenna Blanton also went the entire weekend without a single strikeout in 16 at-bats.
- Army
- The Tops are 1-0 all-time against the Black Knights. The two programs faced off during the Clearwater Invitational in 2024 when the Tops came away with the win, 7-1
- Mercer
- WKU is 1-2 all-time against Mercer. In addition, the Tops have only played the Bears in Macon and possess the same record.
- Georgia Southern
- Iowa has the upper hand against WKU as the Tops have a 1-2 record against the Hawkeyes. On neutral territory, the Hilltopper are also 1-2.
- Black Knights
- Army has posted a 2-3 record after its first weekend down at FAU. Army lost to Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Indiana, but their two wins were over fellow CUSA member, Delaware. The Black Knights took Game One against the Blue Hens, 3-2, and proceeded to run-rule Delaware in Game Two, 13-0 in five innings.
- Leading the charge for Army was Taylor Brown who posted a .462 batting average with six hits, four runs scored, a double, and two RBI. The senior infielder also posted a .500 on-base percentage.
- In the circle, Breanna Izzo dazzled for the Black & Gold with a 2.05 ERA in 13.2 innings of work. She posted a 2-0 record over the weekend with 12 total strikeouts and giving up only six hits.
- Izzo was also responsible for the 13-0 win over Delaware in which she also threw a no-hitter.
- Bears
- Mercer is 5-0 for the first time in 27 years after two extra-innings wins, two run-rule wins, and a 4-2 win over Evansville.
- Madison Starr was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week after throwing five scoreless innings, striking out four, and allowing just two hits in her second career start.
- The Bears were led by Taylor Jessie at the plate. She posted a .583 batting average and accumulated one home run and five RBI. She also scored seven runs and collected seven hits across the five-game span. Just behind her was Grace Jones who slashed a .500/.550/1.000 as she tallied nine hits and two home runs for five total RBI.
- Hawkeyes
- Iowa went 3-2 this past weekend with a win over UConn and two over Samford.
- In the circle, the Hawkeyes were led by Serayah Neiss with a 4.32 ERA in 11.1 innings pitched. She struck out four but also gave up seven earned runs and nine hits.
- Iowa's offense was led by Devin Simon who went 5-for-11 (.455) on the weekend with two doubles and two RBI. Echo Mattiello finished second offensively for the Hawkeyes with a .364/.533/.364.
