Middle Tennessee tallied three home runs to outlast Western Kentucky 5-4 in Conference USA softball series opener Friday in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The Hilltoppers (20-17 overall, 6-9 CUSA) scored three runs in the sixth inning to tie the game at 4, but MTSU (20-21 overall, 8-8 CUSA) took the game in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run.

WKU’s Erica Houge earned her ninth start of the season Friday night and quickly got to work, only allowing three total hits through the first four innings of the game. All three hits from Houge were singles, as MTSU wasn’t able to get past second base.

With a pitcher’s duel setting the stage for the evening, the top of the fifth was when Morgan Sharpe ended the scoring drought for either side with a RBI single that scored Maci Masters who reached earlier in the half inning with a walk.

Up 1-0 going into the bottom of the fifth, the Blue Raiders hit two home runs for a total of four runs to take the lead 4-1 by the end of the inning.

Kennedy Stinson got the Tops on the board as the freshman sent the fourth long ball of her career over the left-center fence and almost hitting WKU’s bus in the meantime.

With momentum beginning to swing in WKU’s favor, Katie Murphy took advantage with a walk and was then moved to second by Kaytlan Kemp. Putting together another productive at-bat was Kendle White who singled through the left side to move Murphy to third and advanced to second on the throw.

Smart baserunning from Murphy allowed Charlotte Herron to reach on a fielder’s choice, as Jana Want checked Murphy back to third, but unsuccessfully threw to the bag to try and tag Murphy out.

With bases loaded, Maci Masters collected two more RBI to bring her total to team-best 37 with a looper to center scoring both Murphy and White.

The bottom of the sixth was when MTSU hit the go-ahead home run to take the series opener.

With her single and walk, Masters has extended her reached base streak to 11, the longest active streak of any Hilltopper.

Rylan Smith finished with three strikeouts in her inning of work, bringing her career total to 190.

Game Two of the series against MTSU will take place Saturday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.