Western Kentucky’s softball season opened on a tough note on Friday, dropping both games against Belmont, 7-1, and against Eastern Kentucky, 5-1, at the Buzz Classic in Atlanta.

The Hilltoppers (0-2 overall) collected a total of seven hits on the day, while the pitching staff recorded a total of five strikeouts. Sophomore infielder Maci Masters logged the first home run of the 2025 season in the game against Belmont.

The Bruins quickly got to work in the first inning, collecting five of their seven total runs on four hits. Belmont would score again in the third and fifth innings while holding WKU off the board until the fourth.

Masters put the Hilltoppers on the scoreboard with the second pitch of her at-bat, sending the ball 220 feet dead center to put the Hilltoppers on the board.

Freshman right hander Erica Houge made her debut as a starter for the Hilltoppers and kept Eastern Kentucky scoreless through the first frame in the WKU’s second game of the day.

In the second, the Colonels put up a five-spot thanks in large part to a three-run home run from Kennedy Drafton.

WKU was held scoreless until the bottom of the sixth, when Masters scored the Hilltoppers’ second run of the day with a single up the middle.

Jenna Blanton led WKU with two hits Friday.

Sophomore right hander Rylan Smith led the Hilltoppers’ bullpen with three strikeouts through both games.

The Hilltoppers continue their time in Georgia with another two games on Saturday. First pitch against Belmont is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT, with the second game against Georgia Tech slated to begin at 3 p.m. CT.