The Hilltoppers improved to 18-3 overall, the best start in program history, and a 3-0 record in Conference USA play behind an offense that hit almost .300 on the day and a pitching staff that combined for seven strikeouts and allowed only one earned run.Â
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WKU 6, MISSOURI STATE 1Â
HOW IT HAPPENEDÂ
Earning her eighth start of the year, Maddy Wood opened the game retiring the first three batters of the Bears (11-11 overall, 0-3 CUSA) line up.Â
Jenna Blanton tripled to left center to put a Hilltopper in scoring position and was quickly brought in to score thanks to an RBI single from Annie White.Â
The Bears were held scoreless through four innings until an RBI single in the top of the fifth gave them their only run of the game.Â
In the home half of the same inning, Morgan Sharpe and Kendle White set up the Tops on the base paths thanks to a walk and a fielder's choice. WKU capitalized on their runners on the base paths with three more runs thanks to back-to-back singles from Blanton who scored Sharpe and Annie White who scored Blanton and Kendle White. Â
In the sixth, Maci Masters turned on the second pitch of her at-bat and sent her ninth home run of the season over the left centerfield wall. Three batters later with two outs on the board, Katie Murphy singled to third base and a triple from Sharpe scored the sixth and final run of the game.Â
Rylan Smith threw the last 1.2 innings of the game and finished the top of the seventh with two ground outs and a strike out.Â
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QUOTABLEÂ
"Obviously we're going to enjoy today. Tomorrow we'll have practice and get back to work," said WKU Softball head coach Amy Tudor. "You never want to get complacent, that's a killer. We've challenged them with that all year long and I thought on the whole they played really solid softball. They did well in the circle and defensively all weekend. Hitting was up and down a little bit but that's to be expected. Their freshman pitcher did a nice job against us."Â
NOTABLESÂ
- 18-3 is the best start in program history, beating the 17-3 record from the 2004 and 2022 squads.Â
- With the sweep against Missouri State, WKU's win streak extends to 13 games setting another program recordÂ
- Jenna Blanton hit .700 on the weekend, going 7-for-10 with a triple and three RBI.Â
- Rylan Smith earned the win in both of her appearances over the weekend. She improves to a 4-2 record so far this season. Â
- Maci Masters' home run was her ninth of the season. It was also her 21st RBI which she collected on her 21st birthday.Â
UP NEXT Â
The Hilltoppers have their first midweek match up of the season on Tuesday, March 10 against Eastern Kentucky. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.Â
