WKU Drops Series with Charlotte
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The WKU Hilltoppers dropped game three against the Charlotte 49ers Sunday afternoon at the WKU Softball Complex, 3-6, which dropped the three-game series in C-USA action. Katie Gardner took the circle with a six-strikeout, no walk performance in six innings of work.
The 49ers got going in the first frame with a solo shot over the left field wall from their leadoff. Charlotte later came back in the second inning for two back-to-back home runs to take an early 3-0 lead.
As the Hilltoppers were up to bat in the fourth, shortstop TJ Webster found the right field line corner as the 49er outfield shifted left. Webster picked up her first career [inside the park] home run on a 1-1 count at the plate, as Abby Newman and Kaytlan Kemp crossed the plate before Webster sprinted down the line and beat out the throw at home.
In the fifth inning, the 49ers knocked in an RBI double before a two-run home run in left field solidified the 6-3 score in the sixth frame. Battling back, the Hilltoppers loaded up the bases in the bottom of the seventh as Jessica Bush took over a battling 15-pitch at-bat, but came up empty handed.
In the pitcher’s circle, right-hander Katie Gardner worked through six innings drawing no walks in the process. With six strikeouts, she gave up nine hits on four earned runs. Maddy Wood later came in for relief in the top of seven, only giving up two hits.
The Hilltoppers are back at the WKU Softball Complex Tuesday evening, for their rescheduled match up with Indiana. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.
