Western Kentucky needed extra innings to earn a 7-6, eight-inning victory over Hampton on Friday at a Gardner-Webb-hosted tournament in Boiling Springs, N.C.

It was the program’s sixth-straight season-opening victory. In the day’s second game, junior transfer Jordan Vorbrink knocked her second go-ahead hit of the day in the top of the sixth but host Gardner-Webb responded in the bottom of the frame to claim the 5-4 decision.

WKU freshman Maddie Bowlds finished the day 7-for-9 at the plate with a double, a triple, two RBIs and a stolen base.

With Friday’s win, WKU coach Amy Tudor improved to 14-0 in her career season openers.

Bowlds had four hits in the win against Hampton. Rebekah Engelhardt added two hits and three runs scored, including the game-winner in the top of the eighth on Vorbrink’s fielder’s choice.

Kelsey McGuffin added a pair of hits for WKU in the opener. Shelby Nunn tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win.

Against Gardner-Webb, Bowlds had three hits, Engelhardt went 2-for-4 and Vorbrink drove in two runs. Nunn took the loss, allowing five runs while striking out four in six innings.

WKU (1-1) is back in action Saturday against Youngstown State and Hampton at Gardner-Webb.