Tops set program record, sweep day one of Hilltopper Spring Fling

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — It was a day full of milestones as WKU Softball outscored opponents 28-5 and came away with two wins on opening day of the Hilltopper Spring Fling.

The Hilltoppers (12-3 overall) set the single-game program record for home runs in a single game against IU Indy and tied Conference USA’s record in the same category. Across both games, the Tops scored in seven of their eight offensive innings and earned their 47th Power Four win with a win over Illinois.

WKU 12, Illinois 3

The Fighting Illini (5-11) were held hitless through 5.2 innings before two singles and a three-run blast grabbed Illinois their only hits of the afternoon.

After outfielder Kendle White doubled to open the home half of the first, fellow outfielder Jenna Blanton singled thanks to a bunt to third to put White in scoring position.

With two Tops on the base paths, infielder Annie White hit her fifth home run of the season for three total RBI.

In the bottom of the second, a throwing error by Illinois’ third baseman scored two and gave Blanton her first two RBI of the day. After a pitching change for the Fighting Illini, WKU recorded back-to-back singles and two fielder’s choice plays to tack on four total runs in the inning.

With the score 7-0 going into the top of the third, right hander Rylan Smith worked her way through Illinois’ lineup and prevented any hits until the top of the fifth.

Three-straight scoring plays for WKU added another three runs with an Annie White single, a Kennedy Stinson doubled, and a Maci Masters two-run home run.

Anna Mauck hit her second home run in as many games to give WKU its final run of the game and pushed their lead to 12-0 over Illinois.

Right hander Rylan Smith earned her second win of the season thanks to a dazzling, three-hit performance that featured a total of four strikeouts.

WKU 16, IU INDY 2

Friday evening’s game against the Jaguars (3-10 overall) was a momentous one for both the program and head coach Amy Tudor as the Tops set the single-game program record for home runs with six, and the win earned Tudor her 600th career win in 22 seasons.

An 11-run inning set the tone for the evening thanks to four total home runs from Stinson, Masters, infielder Charlotte Herron, and Kendle White.

In the bottom of the second, infielder Morgan Sharpe recorded her first home run as a Hilltopper with a blast to dead center field followed by a RBI single from Blanton and Annie White’s second home run of the day.

Up 15-0, IU Indy scored its first run of the night with a RBI single. WKU answered with a fielder’s choice to push the lead back to 15 and finish the fourth, 16-1.

An RBI ground out was the final score for the Jaguars as right hander Delainey Bargfrede finished the evening with a flyout to left field.
Senior pitcher Maddy Wood earned her fifth win of the season and remains without a loss in 28.2 innings of work.

QUOTABLE

“We did awesome. We looked great,” said infielder Annie White. “We communicated really well and we just looked like we were having a lot of fun. I’m really proud of us today.”

NOTABLES

• WKU set the single-game program record for home runs with six. The previous record was five against Florida International on April 1, 2022.
• The Hilltoppers outscored opponents, 28-5.
• The win over Illinois marks the 47th Power Four win in program history. The most recent P4 win was against Louisville on April 22.
• Annie White led the offense at the plate, going 6-for-7 with one double and two home runs.
• The Tops went a perfect 5-for-5 on the base paths.
• WKU only recorded three strikeouts in 54 total at-bats.
• Annie White, Kennedy Stinson, and Jenna Blanton all hit at or over .800 on the day.
• Maci Masters recorded her team-leading sixth and seventh home runs
• Head coach Amy Tudor recorded her 600th win against IU Indy. She’s currently 600-445-4 all-time and 377-239-3 in her 13 seasons on The Hill.

NEXT UP

WKU continues the Hilltopper Spring Fling with another two games on Saturday, Feb. 28. First pitch against Illinois is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. CT and against Ball State at 3 p.m. CT.