Houge finished the day with seven strikeouts while Masters' home run in the second sparked a potent Hilltoppers' (4-1 overall) offense that collected eight hits on the day.Â
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WKU 2, EIU 0Â
HOWÂ ITÂ HAPPENEDÂ
The Tops only needed the second inning to take care of business as Masters turned on the third pitch of her at-bat and sent it over the centerfield wall.Â
After a single and stolen from junior outfielder Kendle White, sophomore infielder Katie Murphy cashed in with a single up the middle for the second RBI of the game. Â
In the circle, Houge matched her career-high in strikeouts with seven while junior right hander Rylan Smith collected five of her own. Smith also notched the first save of the season for the Hilltoppers after throwing the last two innings of the day.Â
Houge also continued to be efficient, needing only 72 pitches in her five innings of work to earn her second win in as many days. Â
QUOTABLEÂ
"Good to be coming home 4-1," said WKU Softball head coach, Amy Tudor. "Our pitching staff had a phenomenal weekend with Erica leading the way. We had good defense and provided enough offense to get those four wins. Ann White was impressive at the plate, and we've got some things to work on this week back in Bowling Green."Â
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NOTABLESÂ
- WKU's pitching staff was the highlight of the weekend, throwing three total shutouts and only allowing five runs in five games.Â
- In addition, the Tops' pitching staff posted a 0.61 ERA on the weekend.Â
- Maci Masters' home run is her first of the season.Â
- Erica Houge has been primarily responsible for all three shutouts. In the 20.2 innings across all three games, Houge threw for 16.2.Â
- The Hilltoppers' 4-1 start is the best since 2021 when the program posted the same record in their first five games.Â
