BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- WKU Softball started its conference slate in dramatic fashion on Friday with a four-run, walk-off win in Game One and a five-inning, run-rule win in Game Two against Missouri State. With the two wins, the Hilltoppers matched their best start in program history Friday night, going 17-3 overall and 2-0 in Conference USA play. Â
In Game One, Jenna Blanton hit a game-winning two-RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to take the first, 4-3. In Game Two, three Hilltoppers hit home runs as they cruised to their seventh run-rule win of the season.Â
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GAME ONE: WKU 4, MISSOURI STATE 3Â
HOW IT HAPPENEDÂ
Erica Houge earned her ninth start and win of the season. The Bears' (11-10 overall, 0-2 CUSA) only run production of the game came from three solo home runs.Â
Houge held the Bears scoreless for the remainder of the game after allowing only one more hit outside of the Bears' home runs in the first and sixth innings. In addition, she fanned a total of six and had four 1-2-3 innings.Â
WKU posted its second walk-off win in three games as the offense started to take advantage of seeing the Bears' Emily Karanda for the third time in the seventh.Â
A walk for Maci Masters, a single from Charlotte Herron, and an RBI single from Lauren Satterly and the Tops put themselves on the board. Â
With the score at 3-1 with only one out, Morgan Sharpe singled to second base to load the bases. Â
Kendle White then singled to the pitcher to score another, bringing WKU within one, 3-2.Â
Blanton then singled just over the shortstop's head to score the final two runs to earn the 11th straight win for WKU.Â
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GAME TWO: WKU 8, MISSOURI STATE 0Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
Seven of WKU's eight runs in the second game came from home runs as WKU posted its fourth game this season with three or more home runs.Â
Katie Murphy hit her first home run of the season for three runs, Kendle White hit a two-run home run, and Annie White hit a two-run home run for the sixth and seventh runs of the inning.Â
The eighth run came from an RBI single from Anna Mauck in the bottom of the fourth, scoring Kennedy Stinson, who reached earlier in the inning with a double.Â
Rylan Smith earned her fourth start of the season and her third win after throwing a five-inning complete game. She allowed only two hits and struck out a season-high eight on the day. Â
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NOTABLESÂ
- WKU matched its best start in program history and its longest win streak in program history with a 17-3 overall record and a 12-game winning streak.Â
- Kendle White and Annie White's two-RBI home runs are the second two-run shots for each player.Â
- Katie Murphy's three-run home run is the third three-RBI home run this season.Â
- WKU Softball now has 29 total home runs.Â
- Erica Houge and Rylan Smith combined for a 1.75 ERA on the day. Â
- Friday's second game was the sixth shutout and seventh run-rule win of the season.Â
- The first game of the day is the third walk-off win of the season. Â
- Game Two's home runs were the sixth and seventh home runs to occur in the second inning, while the third home run was the fifth to occur in the third inning.Â
- Lauren Satterly recorded her first collegiate hit and RBI. Â
- Jenna Blanton posted the best batting average of the starting nine with a .714, going 5-for-7 at the plate. Â
- Rylan Smith fanned eight and Erica Houge struck out six in their complete game performances.
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QUOTABLEÂ
"I think we've matured," said WKU Softball head coach Amy Tudor. "We got Jenna [Blanton] back this year and we lost her early last year. A lot of our young players also got a lot of experience and so I think that's paying off now. You have to go through some hardships to be strong, and we definitely had some bumps last year. But this year we've blended together and support each other, which is fun from a coaching point of view."Â
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UP NEXTÂ
WKU will close out its three-game series against Missouri State on Sunday, March 8. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.Â
