Rylan Smith Throws No-Hitter in 5-0 Win Over MTSU

Saturday, March 21

Bowling Green, Ky.

1 p.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

21-7, 3-5

Middle Tennessee

13-15, 5-3

MTSU

WKU

Photo by: Steve Roberts/WKU Athletics

3/21/2026 7:03:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- WKU Softball's Rylan Smith threw the program's 15th no-hitter on Saturday in a 5-0 win over Middle Tennessee at the WKU Softball Complex.

Smith posted a season-high 11 strikeouts against the Blue Raiders (13-15 overall, 3-5 CUSA) and her performance is the second no-hitter in just 20 days after Erica Houge threw a no-hitter against IU Indy on March 1. The last time the Hilltoppers (21-7 overall, 5-3 CUSA) had two different pitchers throw no-hitters in the same season was in 2014 with Hannah Miniard and Emily Rousseau.

WKU 5, MTSU 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
Smith got off to a quick start in the top of the first, collecting three strikeouts to retire the side. In the second, Smith did the same exact thing and racked up six total strikeouts in the first two innings.
The Nolensville, Tenn., native grabbed her seventh and eighth strikeouts of the game in the top of the third and fourth innings.

WKU exploded offensively with four runs in the bottom of the fourth, led by Morgan Sharpe with a two-RBI double.

Maci Masters put the first Hilltopper on the bases with a single to left field followed by a single from Anna Mauck to put herself on base and put Macy Gregor—pinch running for Masters—in scoring position.

Katie Murphy recorded her first RBI of the weekend with a two-base knock to right center to score Gregor and move Mauck to third.

With two Hilltoppers in scoring position, Sharpe doubled to left center to bring in both Murphy and Mauck and also pushed WKU's lead to 3-0.

After a bunt single from Jenna Blanton moved Sharpe to third, a throwing error by MTSU's catcher allowed Sharpe to score for the fourth run of the inning.

Smith continued to rack up Blue Raider strikeouts with her ninth in the top of the fifth.

Annie White kicked off the bottom of the sixth with a single to left field and Lauren Campisano traded places with White to pinch run. Campisano stole second and made it to third after an error by the Blue Raider's shortstop.

Kennedy Stinson hit a fly ball to deep right field for a sacrifice fly and the fifth and final run of the day.

The final two strikeouts came in the top of the seventh as Smith secured her no-hitter with a swinging strikeout from MTSU for the final out.

QUOTABLES
"I think it's about being able to get wins when we can and having the opportunity when we're up 4-0 to get a conference win," said WKU Softball pitcher Rylan Smith. "Everyone is important, especially bouncing back from last weekend. They're our rival school but a win is a win."

"Credit to Rylan," said WKU Softball head coach Amy Tudor. "I thought she had great command of her pitches and great command of her off speed as well. It's probably not the hardest she's thrown if I'm being honest, but it was moving and it was very effective changing planes. I thought that was really good. She had a great defense behind her and we scored enough runs. I thought Jenna [Blanton] and Kendle [White] both leading off were huge. Katie Murphy got a key hit, Morgan was 2-for-3 I think, and there's just a lot of people that did different things. Maci started that inning when we scored all of those runs. It just takes pressure off the circle."

NOTABLES

WKU moves to 21-7 overall and 5-3 in conference play. The Hilltoppers also move to 15-1 when playing at the WKU Softball Complex.
Saturday's win marks the 53rd win all time against the Blue Raiders.
Rylan Smith posted the 15th no-hitter in program history, just 20 days after Erica Houge threw a no-hitter against IU Indy on March 1, 2026.
Rylan Smith set a new season high in strikeouts with 11.
Jenna Blanton, Kendle White, and Katie Murphy all went 2-for-3 at the plate with Murphy also securing one RBI.
Morgan Sharpe led the Hilltoppers in scoring with two RBI.
Kendle White led in stolen bases with two. Lauren Campisano and Jenna Blanton also stole a base.
2014 was the last season two different pitchers posted no-hitters in the same season. Emily Rousseau and Hannah Miniard both threw no-hitters against Troy and UT Arlington respectively.