EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- WKU Softball earned its 30th win of the season on Wednesday with a 7-5 win over Evansville at the James & Dorothy Cooper Stadium in Evansville, Indiana.
A four-run fourth inning propelled the Hilltoppers (30-10 overall, 12-6 CUSA) to the win as they also set a new single-season home run record against the Aces (17-21 overall, 9-9 MVC). The Tops hit their 51st home run of the season thanks to a long ball from Annie White in the top of the first, breaking the 50-home run single season record set in 2013 and tied in 2017.
WKU 7, EVANSVILLE 5
HOW IT HAPPENED
White got things going early for the Hilltoppers and turned on the third pitch of her at-bat to send the ball over the left field fence for her 10th home run of the season.
Rylan Smith earned her 10th start of the season on Wednesday and sat the Aces down in order in the home half of the first.
WKU added another run in the top of the second as Maci Masters opened the frame with a single up the middle. Katie Murphy reached on a fielder's choice and stole second to put a runner in scoring position.
Anna Mauck capitalized on Murphy's position and singled up the middle to score her first RBI of the night.
Up 2-0 going into the second, Smith recorded her first two strikeouts and forced a popout to end the Aces' half inning.
Neither side scored in the third, but Smith racked up another two strikeouts to bring her total to four through three innings.
In the top of the fourth, Murphy opened with a single to right center as Charlotte Herron reached with a fielder's choice to put two aboard.
A groundout from Mauck pushed Murphy and Herron to second and third, and a bunt single from Kendle White loaded the bases.
WKU then recorded four straight RBI thanks to a single from Jenna Blanton, a fielder's choice for Annie White, a double to centerfield from Morgan Sharpe, and an infield single from Lauren Satterly.
The Aces put up five runs in the home half of the inning with a grand slam and an RBI single.
The fifth and sixth innings were quiet from both sides as WKU added the last run of the night with an error from the Evansville defense in the seventh.
QUOTABLE
I like the way we answered first, said WKU Softball head coach, Amy Tudor. I felt like we set the tone and when things got close, we answered back with another security run. It was great for our offense to beat the home run record with Ann's solo shot tonight, but our short game was also effective. I thought Rylan threw well. She just had a little shake up in the third and Erica came in and shut the door. It was a good team win and great to get the home run record and 30 wins.
NOTABLES
- With Annie White's home run in the first, the 2026 edition of WKU Softball owns the single-season team home run record with 51 with at least nine games left to play.
- With 51 home runs on the season, WKU Softball is now tied for 48th nationally in total home runs.
- Annie White continues to be a tough out with the conference's best on-base percentage at .521.
- Erica Houge earned her 17th win of the season, throwing 3.2 innings and not allowing an earned run. Rylan Smith struck out four in her 3.1 innings of work.
- Erica Houge's ERA improves to 2.06 on the season after her performance against Evansville.
- Wednesday's 12 hits marked the 20th game this season WKU has posted 10 or more hits in a game. The game is also the fifth this season with 12 hits.
- Jenna Blanton led at the plate going 3-for-4 with one RBI.
- Annie White led in RBI with a solo home run and a fielder's choice.
- Morgan Sharpe's double in the fourth was her team-leading 14th of the season.
- Annie White joins Maci Masters in double-digit home runs with 10, Masters leads the team with 13.
- The win on Wednesday marked WKU's 30th win of the season and becomes the fifth straight season with 30 or more wins.
UP NEXT
The Hilltoppers return home to host UTEP in a three-game series starting on Friday, April 17. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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