Despite being a former standout pitcher at Bowling Green High School, Kathryn Downing didn’t log any innings in the circle in her first two years with the Western Kentucky softball team.

But the Lady Toppers’ needs changed this season, and Downing got her chance.

Downing and top arm Hannah Parker have led the program’s pitcher-by-committee approach, working their way through adjustments like the rest of the young WKU roster.

The Lady Tops (12-18 overall, 4-5 Conference USA) host rival Middle Tennessee for a home series this weekend, starting with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday.

“I think we’re better than our record shows, really,” Downing said. “I was actually looking at our schedule the other day, and we were one or two plays away in about eight games from being about eight wins better than we are. But I think that comes with the youth. We’re just really young. Each conference series, we’ve been able to take things and build on them.”

As coach Amy Tudor put it, this year’s WKU team – particularly its pitching staff – is a “completely different look.”

The Lady Tops graduated the bulk of their offensive firepower from last year’s 36-14 squad that advanced to an NCAA Regional.

They also said goodbye to star strikeout artist Miranda Kramer, who dazzled and dominated as one of the nation’s best pitchers.

“We’ve had to use more of a committee,” Downing said. “When we’re good, as a staff, we’re really good. I think just building on our mistakes as a young group is where our focus needs to be.”

The sophomore Parker has been the No. 1 arm for WKU this season, appearing in 24 games with 19 starts. She’s 7-11 with 94 strikeouts and a 3.87 ERA over 114 innings.

Last year, Parker appeared in 17 games with four starts.

Tudor said the left-hander has developed a few more pitches and fine-tuned some things, but that her greatest strides have come in the mental aspect of her game.

“It’s been a challenge for me, but I feel like I’ve been handling it well,” Parker said. “I’ve had some rough weekends, but I’ve also come through and gotten better the next game. I’m learning from my mistakes, and I have a good team behind me to play defense. That’s what I need.

“You have to grow up in those situations, so you learn a lot. You just take it and go.”

WKU added two freshmen pitchers to the roster this season, but with uncertainty around the newcomers, Tudor said she knew it may be time for Downing to step back into the circle.

Downing became a key contributor in the lineup for WKU down the stretch last season, hitting .409 in 12 games with eight starts at first base as she was named to the C-USA Championship All-Tournament team.

But heading into the summer, it became clear that Downing might have to return to pitching. That was just fine by Downing, who said that although she may not have the most tools of any pitcher out there, “I want to have the ball in my hand.”

“I feel like I never missed a beat,” she said. “That’s where I’m comfortable, in the circle, and I love to compete. Naturally I like to pitch. 

“I know I’m a junior, but I’ve made some freshman mistakes. I had no innings coming into this season, but I’ve weathered the storm OK.”

When Downing isn’t pitching, she’s played first base and added some experience to a still-growing lineup.

The Lady Tops suffered two extra-inning losses at Southern Miss last week, but they get a chance for redemption against MTSU this weekend.

WKU is tied with the Blue Raiders (19-17, 4-5) in the league standings.

“This is huge, especially after last weekend, losing two heartbreakers on the road,” Downing said. “Being back home against Middle, who everybody should have a little pride coming into this, it’s huge. We have to win ballgames to get to the conference tournament. I would say this is a make-or-break series for us as far as getting to the conference tournament.”

— Follow Assistant Sports Editor Zach Greenwell on Twitter @zach_greenwell or visit bgdailynews.com.