WKU Softball: Tops Tame #17 Wildcats, Move To 23–5 On the Season

A dream season for WKU softball continued Tuesday as WKU’s dominant string of pitching slowed down the 17th ranked Wildcats and a three-home run fifth inning propelled the Tops to a signature 4–1 win in Lexington.

Coming off a conference Pitcher of the Week weekend, Kelsey Aikey got the start over Kennedy Sullivan and tossed a gem, allowing only three hits and a solo home run as WKU trailed 1–0 at the end of the 4th inning.

Despite a few opportunities, WKU couldn’t get to UK’s starting pitcher, Autumn Humes. That changed when she was replaced in the 5th inning. Paige Carter tied the game on a deep home run to center field against reliever Grace Baalman and was followed by a line-drive homer by Jordan Thomas to give WKU a 2–1 lead.

The scoring didn’t end there.

After a walk, Shannon Plese drove a two-run homer to right field to give WKU a commanding 4–1 lead heading to the bottom of the fifth.

Shelby Nunn came into relieve in the Aikey after four innings and despite a few walks, she got through the tough UK lineup, striking out two over her first two innings.

Nunn took the circle for the 7th inning and induced a strikeout, popup, and groundout to seal the deal and move the Tops to 23–5 (6–0) on the season with a signature win over the in-state Wildcats.

This was a huge win for WKU softball. WKU entered the night at #66 in the RPI, Kentucky was 12th. Despite the amazing start, WKU didn’t really have many signature wins on the season and tonight’s victory was not only big for their computer numbers but proof that we can start thinking big as WKU looks to return to their first NCAA tournament since 2015.

By shutting down the high powered Wildcats, WKU showed they will have a little more to lean on this year than one amazing pitcher (like Miranda Kramer in 2015). Their senior-laden lineup and three-headed monster pitching staff could make a lot of noise come May.

Here is your scoring summary from a huge win on the diamond: