Western Kentucky scored five runs in the third inning Wednesday and went on to a 10-4 win over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at the WKU Softball Complex.

Seven Hilltoppers registered hits as WKU improved to 15-6.

The Cougars got a two-run home run in the top of the third before WKU answered in the bottom of the inning. Rebekah Engelhardt doubled off the left-field fence before Jordan Thomas’ RBI double. Kendall Smith added a two-run single, and Tommi Stowers had a two-run double.

SIUE plated two runs in the fourth to pull within 5-4 with no outs. WKU’s Shelby Nunn relieved Kelsey Aikey in the circle at that point and struck out three of the next four batters.

In the fifth, Jordan Vorbrink doubled before Paige Carter’s third home run of the year pushed WKU’s lead to 7-4.

The Hilltoppers’ Brittany Vaughn delivered a two-run single in the sixth. Vaughn stole second, third and eventually home for WKU’s 10th run.

Nunn tossed the final four innings to secure her 10th win of the season, moving to 10-4 overall. The freshman allowed one hit while striking out six and retiring the final 11 Cougar batters of the game.

WKU will open Conference USA play with a series at Southern Miss on Saturday and before road matchups with LSU and South Alabama.