Knocking on the door of both their second straight series win and the 800th victory in program history, Western Kentucky’s softball team reached both milestones on Saturday after splitting the doubleheader against Kennesaw State in Kennesaw, Georgia.

The Hilltoppers (20-16 overall, 6-8 CUSA) took the opener 7-1 after an explosive, two-home run performance from Maci Masters coupled with a two-hit outing from right-hander Erica Houge limited the Owls (10-29 overall, 1-14 CUSA) to only one run.

Masters got the scoring started in the top of the first inning with a three-run blast to left field that cleared the protective netting and went into the tennis courts behind Bailey Park. Prior to Masters’ at-bat, Kendle White and Morgan Sharpe had reached on a walk and a single, respectively.

In the bottom half of first, Houge settled in quickly and sat the Owls down in order with two back-to-back strikeouts and a ground out to third base.

The second through fourth innings of the game were quiet, with neither side getting past third to add anything to their totals.

With the Tops up 3-0 going into the fifth, Sharpe reached for the second time to put a Hilltopper aboard. With one on, Masters earned her second multi-home run game of the season with another four-bagger to push the Tops’ lead to five. Masters inched closer to the single-season home run record, bringing her total to 12.

After Masters’ shot cleared the bases, Annie White followed up with a single to left while Charlotte Herron reached on a fielder’s choice that wiped out White.

With Herron on first, Kennedy Stinson singled and advanced to second on the throw. Taking advantage of an Owls’ team caught on their heels, Herron scored amidst the miscommunication.

Now up 6-0 in the fifth and with two outs, Randi Drinnon reached on error and allowed Stinson to score, extending WKU’s lead to seven.

The only run in Game 1 for the Owls came from a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Looking to avoid the sweep, Kennesaw State came away with their first conference win of the season after a shallow hit to left center scored an Owl that reached earlier with a double for a 1-0 win.

The Hilltoppers’ only hit came from Drinnon with a deep double to left center.

Rylan Smith put together her fifth complete-game performance of the season with three strikeouts and only allowing two hits in six innings.

Masters inched closer to the single-season home run record, bringing her total to 12.

WKU continues its road trip with a three-game series against conference rival Middle Tennessee. First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. CT in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.