WKU Softball opens conference action at New Mexico State

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WKU SPORTS) – The 13-6-1 WKU Softball team will open its 11th season in Conference USA with a road trip to New Mexico State, March 8-10. The three-game series, set to be played at the NM State Softball Complex in Las Cruces, will start under the lights on Friday at 7 p.m. CT.

Before a declared no contest game with Indiana on Tuesday due to weather, the Tops went 3-1 in their last tournament of the regular season at home, the Hilltopper Spring Fling. Katie Gardner completed her second complete game shutout of the season against Dayton, while Rylan Smith notched her first career complete game and a 0.00 ERA against Northern Illinois on day one. Against NIU on day two, Taylor Sanders tied the program record for career home runs in the second inning with 38. WKU would eventually fall to Southern Illinois in the nightcap, 2-0, in extras.

NM State is currently 10-9 on the season, picking up marquee wins over [RV] Nebraska, [RV] Grand Canyon, and Arizona State, but have lost their last four games in their non-conference slate. The Aggies are fifth in the league in batting average (.284), while posting last in team fielding (.925). NMSU’s biggest weapon is right-handed pitcher/batter, Desirae Spearman, who already owns two CUSA Freshman of the Week honors.