WKU softball takes first two from UNT

Published 12:00 am Sunday, April 3, 2011

The Western Kentucky softball team clinched a three-game series at the WKU Softball Complex on Saturday afternoon with 5-3 and 2-1 victories over North Texas.

On the day, the Lady Toppers (20-15, 3-5 Sun Belt Conference) tallied seven runs off 14 hits and struck out nine Mean Green batters. Junior Laura Smith went 3 for 6 with her second home run of the season and also scored three runs and drove in two. Freshman Megan Johnson hit two doubles for two RBIs. Sophomore Mallorie Sulaski went 2 for 3 with a triple and a run scored.

In game one, the Lady Toppers tallied five runs off nine hits while leaving six runners on base. Smith went 2 for 4 with a home run. Sophomore Karavin Dew tallied her first home run of the season, a solo shot. Sulaski (9-6) pitched a complete game, allowing three runs off 11 hits.

North Texas opened the game in the top of the first with one run off two hits and one Lady Topper error.

Western Kentucky took the lead in the bottom of the third inning with three runs off three hits. Dew opened with a home run to right center. Freshman Kelsie Mattox was walked, followed by a single through the left side by Smith. A double to left field by Johnson brought in two more runs.

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The Mean Green added one run in the top of the fourth with three hits, leaving two runners stranded.

WKU added a run in the bottom of the fourth when Sulaski opened with a triple to right field, followed by a single to left-center by junior Amanda Walden. The Lady Toppers added another run in the bottom of the fifth when Smith opened with a home run to right field for the fifth run of the game.

In game two, the Lady Toppers tallied two runs off five hits with one error, leaving seven runners stranded. Mattox went 2 for 3 and Smith went 1 for 2 with an RBI. Sophomore Kim Wagner (9-6) pitched a complete game, allowing one run off six hits while striking out a season-high nine.

Mattox hit a double to left field followed by a single through the right side by Smith, bringing Mattox in for a 1-0 lead in the third.

The Mean Green knotted the game in the top of the fifth with a solo home run.

WKU regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Mattox opened with a single and Smith reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a bunt by Sulaski. With two outs, Johnson reached on an error by the Mean Green, advancing Smith to third. Freshman Amanda Thomas hit a single to right field to bring Smith in for the leading run.

Western Kentucky will close out the series against North Texas at noon today at the WKU Softball Complex.

BGHS softball wins Purples Classic

The Bowling Green softball team won the Purples Classic on Saturday at BGHS with an 11-0 win over DuPont Manual in five innings and a 10-8 win over Taylor County in nine innings.

For the tournament, pitcher Mackenzie Brumit got both wins in the circle. Brittany Vaughn was 5 for 8 with two triples, a home run and three RBIs; Keely Vincent was 4 for 8 with a double, two walks and three RBIs; Tess Lindsey was 4 for 8 with a walk and two RBIs; and Sarah Brooks was 3 for 8 with three RBIs.

The Lady Purples (3-2) have the week off before playing at Warren East at 7 p.m. April 12.

Butler County tennis tops Russellville

The Butler County boys’ tennis team topped Russellville 7-2 on Friday.

In singles play, Cade Snodgrass won 8-1, Amit Hajari won 8-2, Brad Strickland won 9-7, Dakota Merrick won 10-9 (7-5) and Remmington Harpe won 8-3 for BCHS.

In doubles, Snodgrass and Hajari won 8-0 and Merrick and Strickland won