Western Kentucky’s softball team tallied 28 hits and 25 runs across two wins on the opening day of the Chattanooga Challenge on Friday in Chattanooga, Tenn.

WKU’s Paige Carter (2), Kendall Smith, Kennedy Sullivan and Jordan Thomas each registered home runs, while Smith and TJ Webster both posted a four-hit outing on the day. The Hilltoppers improved to 5-2 with wins over Ohio (13-4) and Chattanooga (12-2) as Kelsey Aikey earned both wins in the circle.

WKU topped Ohio 13-4 in the opener, then beat host Chattanooga 12-2 in the nightcap.

On the day, Carter (5-for-9; five RBIs), Webster (5-for-5; two RBIs), Sullivan (4-for-9; four RBIs); Smith (4-for-8; three RBIs) and Thomas (3-for-9; seven RBIs) combined for 21 hits and 21 RBIs. As a team, the Hilltoppers hit a collective .418.

From the circle across the wins, Aikey (3-1) tossed nine innings allowing just three runs and eight hits while striking out 15 batters.

Aikey (2-1) earned the win against Ohio, pitching the fourth, fifth and sixth frames.

Aikey got the win against Chattanooga as well, striking out nine batters across six innings.

WKU will return to action in the Chatt Challenge with two more games Saturday. The Hilltoppers will open the day with a 10 a.m. CST tilt against Tennessee Tech before turning around and facing Lipscomb in a 12:30 p.m. game.