Western Kentucky’s softball team cruised to a 2-0 victory against Eastern Illinois on Sunday behind junior utility Maci Masters’ first home run of the season and another stellar performance from sophomore right hander Erica Houge to wrap up play at the Bash in the Boro in Statesboro, Georgia.

Houge finished the day with seven strikeouts while Masters’ home run in the second sparked a potent Hilltoppers’ (4-1 overall) offense that collected eight hits on the day.

“Good to be coming home 4-1,” WKU coach Amy Tudor said in a news release. “Our pitching staff had a phenomenal weekend with Erica leading the way. We had good defense and provided enough offense to get those four wins. Ann White was impressive at the plate, and we’ve got some things to work on this week back in Bowling Green.”

The Tops only needed the second inning to take care of business as Masters turned on the third pitch of her at-bat and sent it over the center-field wall. After a single and stolen from junior outfielder Kendle White, sophomore infielder Katie Murphy cashed in with a single up the middle for the second RBI of the game.

In the circle, Houge matched her career-high in strikeouts with seven while junior right-hander Rylan Smith collected five of her own. Smith also notched the first save of the season for the Hilltoppers after throwing the last two innings of the day. Houge also continued to be efficient, needing only 72 pitches in her five innings of work to earn her second win in as many days.

WKU’s pitching staff was the highlight of the weekend, throwing three total shutouts and only allowing five runs in five games. In addition, the Tops’ pitching staff posted a 0.61 ERA on the weekend. Houge has been primarily responsible for all three shutouts. In the 20.2 innings across all three games, Houge threw for 16.2 innings.

The Hilltoppers’ 4-1 start is the best since 2021 when the program posted the same record in their first five games.

WKU is back in action Friday with games against Army and Mercer in the MUSB Invitational in Macon, Georgia.