Houge Throws Shutout, WKU Splits Day Two of Bash in the Boro

Saturday, February 7

Statesboro, Ga.

9 a.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

2-1

UNC Greensboro

1-2

UNCG

Western Kentucky

Pitcher Erica Houge (11) | Photo by Liam Downie

Photo by: Liam Downie/WKU Athletics

Houge Throws Shutout, WKU Splits Day Two of Bash in the Boro

2/7/2026 2:47:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

STATESBORO, Ga. -- WKU Softball continued the weekend in Statesboro with a two-game split on Saturday with a 4-2 loss in nine innings to UNC Greensboro and a 1-0 shutout against hosts Georgia Southern.

In the win against the Eagles (2-1 overall), sophomore right hander Erica Houge only needed 63 pitches to complete the shutout while junior infielder Morgan Sharpe's RBI single in the third was responsible for the only run.

WKU 1, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 0
HOW IT HAPPENED

Houge was dominant in the circle, facing just nine batters through the first three innings. Georgia Southern did not record its first hit until the fourth inning, but the Iowa native induced back-to-back groundouts to escape the scoring threat.

In the top of the third, sophomore infielder Katie Murphy reached on an error and also took second base. A groundout from senior Jenna Blanton moved Murphy to third, setting up Sharpe's RBI single through the left side.

Houge faced 23 batters over seven innings and averaged 9.6 pitches per inning in the complete-game shutout.

WKU 2, UNC GREENSBORO 4
HOW IT HAPPENED

WKU (3-1 overall) jumped out to an early lead in the first inning as sophomore outfielder Kennedy Stinson doubled to right-center field, driving in two runs after Sharpe and junior infielder Annie White reached earlier in the frame.

The Spartans (1-2) answered in the fourth inning with a single to shallow left field to score their first run. UNCG tied the game in the fifth on a double through the left side.

Playing its first extra-inning game of the 2026 season, WKU was unable to capitalize in the ninth inning, as UNC Greensboro plated two runs to secure the win.

QUOTABLE
"Our pitching staff did a great job today with Erica throwing a gem for the win in game two. We rebounded from game one to two and Morgan's timely hit and Katie Murphy's plays at three aided us to victory," said WKU Softball head coach, Amy Tudor.

NOTABLES

Erica Houge's 63 pitches is her most efficient complete game of her career. Her previous best was 79 pitches in the two-hit shutout of Louisville on April 22, 2025.
Kennedy Stinson led the offensive charge for the Hilltoppers with two hits and two RBI on the day. Morgan Sharpe also matched her production with two hits and collected one RBI.
Erica Houge earned her second-straight shutout win in as many appearances. She currently ties Rylan Smith for the most strikeouts this weekend with 18.