Hilltoppers wrap up 4-0 stretch with pair of wins
Published 10:49 pm Monday, February 24, 2025
- Western Kentucky freshman Kennedy Stinson signals to the dugout during the Hilltoppers' 10-3 win against Gardner-Webb on Monday at the WKU Softball Complex. (WKU ATHLETICS)
Western Kentucky’s softball team improved to nine straight wins on Monday after the Hilltoppers (10-4 overall) completed two comeback wins over Bradley and Gardner-Webb at the WKU Softball Complex.
Freshman Charlotte Herron hit a walk-off single to take the game with a 2-1 win against Bradley (4-10) while Katie Murphy hit her first collegiate home run — a three-run shot — to push WKU past Gardner-Webb (7-7 overall) 10-3 in the finale.
In the circle, sophomore right-hander Rylan Smith totaled a career-high 11 strikeouts against Bradley.
Smith kept the Bradley off the scoreboard in all but the fourth inning on Monday, recording 11 total strikeouts. Across the seven innings, Smith allowed just three hits, including a solo home run.
The Hilltoppers tied the game in the fifth inning with an RBI single from freshman utility Macy Gregor.
Smith continued to work through the Braves’ lineup and kept the game tied 1-1 going into the bottom of the seventh.
WKU sophomore infielder Annie White reached on a catcher’s interference and a walk from sophomore designated hitter Maci Masters moved White into scoring position.
Herron hit a walk-off single for the Tops’ second walk-off win in as many weekends.
Masters scored the Hilltoppers’ first run in the fourth against Gardner-Webb with a double to left field. Murphy followed up with her three-run home run in the fourth to give them the 4-3 lead.
In the fifth, the Hilltoppers increased their lead after two walks, a single, and a double brought in six more runs.
Freshman right-hander Erica Houge earned her third win of the season, limiting Gardner-Webb to only two hits and one earned run after taking over in the top of the third.
Masters finished the day with three doubles, and Herron collected a team-high four hits.
WKU’s pitching staff combined for 14 strikeouts.
The 10 wins in 17 days is the fastest the Tops have reached double-digit wins since 2020, reaching 10 wins in 14 days.
The Hilltoppers will close out their 2025 tournament slate hosting Kentucky, Tennessee Tech and Evansville from Feb. 28-March 2. First pitch is scheduled against Kentucky on Friday at 3 p.m.
