WKU Player of the Week: Hilltopper pitcher Erica Houge

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – This week’s WKU Athletics Player of the Week honor goes to Hilltopper softball pitcher Erica Houge!

Houge’s week saw a stellar midweek performance, as well as a strong weekend outing.

The freshman started in the circle for a rivalry matchup in Louisville last Tuesday, and put up her first career complete game effort, which was spotless.

Through seven innings, Houge allowed no runs on three strikeouts, helping the Hilltoppers pick up their first win in Cardinal territory since 2007.

The dominance for Houge continued into the team’s weekend series with FIU, where on Friday evening, she relieved starter Rylan Smith with three perfect innings of work.

The outing in game one against the Panthers earned Houge a CUSA best fifth save on the season.

The Iowa native would go on to start both Saturday and Sunday’s matchups, tossing 7.2 combined innings, striking out one and allowing just two earned runs.

Conference USA went on to name Houge the league’s Pitcher of the Week, marking the first accolade of her young career.

Houge and the Hilltoppers have soared up the CUSA standings over the past month, now holding the fourth spot in the league, and have just one weekend left of games before the postseason.

Senior weekend against Jacksonville State kicks off on Friday night at 6 p.m. and in just one week, CUSA will come to Bowling Green for the conference tournament, starting Wednesday May 7 and running through May 10.