Kentucky Hosts Evansville in Home Opener on Tuesday
Kentucky begins a 10-game homestand on Tuesday at 4 p.m. vs. Evansville in the 2023 home opener at Kentucky Proud Park. The Wildcats will host Wright State this weekend.
Stephanie Schoonover Named SEC Pitcher of the Week
Kentucky Softball pitcher Stephanie Schoonover won her first-ever Southeastern Conference weekly award Monday morning, being named the SEC Pitcher of the Week after her stellar performances this weekend. Schoonover went 2-0 this week with a save added in, as she pitched 16.2 innings across three games. Schoonover pitched two complete-game shutouts against (RV) McNeese and No. 22 North Texas, including a no-hitter while setting a new school record with 18 K’s in a single game. The junior came in to record a save vs. Sam Houston State, where she struck out five batters in just 2.2 innings. The 11 K’s for Schoonover were a new career-high for the Dothan, Alabama native on Friday before she shattered that and the school record Saturday night in her 18 strikeout no-no vs. the Mean Green. Schoonover allowed just two hits on the entire weekend and has put up a current streak of 11.2 innings without allowing a hit.
Sanders Named C-USA Player of the Week
After the Hilltoppers went 4-1 over the weekend, Conference USA announced Monday that WKU infielder Taylor Sanders was named Player of the Week, collecting the third weekly award nod of her career. The senior from Shelbyville, Tenn. opened up Friday morning in the first game of the Hilltoppers run at the Carolina Classic with a three-run shot over the left field fence for WKU’s first home run of the season against Delaware. Saturday and Sunday’s shutouts against George Washington and Campbell drew in three more RBIs and .375 and .370 hitting clips, respectfully. In total, the third baseman batted up a .375 average, collecting eight RBIs for a 1.000 slugging clip over five games through the weekend.
Hilltoppers Hit the Road for Midweek Matchup at Belmont
WKU Baseball will hit the road for a midweek matchup in Nashville, Tenn. against Belmont beginning at 4 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at E.S. Rose Park. WKU and Belmont have met 53 times in program history, with the Hilltoppers owning a 27-26 all-time series edge. The teams met twice last season, splitting the two games, both games decided by just one run.
Racers Return to Johnny Reagan Field for Home Opener Tuesday
Murray State baseball is set for its home opener against former conference rival UT Martin on Tuesday at 3 p.m at Johnny Reagan Field in Murray, Kentucky. The Racers were able to complete the sweep over the Skyhawks a season ago across a three-game series.
Govs baseball closes homestand with Taco Tuesday outing against Salukis
Austin Peay closes its season-opening four-game homestand when it hosts perennial rival Southern Illinois 3 p.m., Tuesday on Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park. 46 previous meetings | SIU leads, 27-19.
Benefiel, Osowski-Anderson named to Tiger Invitational All-Tournament Team
Following their outstanding play this past weekend, Austin Peay State University softball players Jordan Benefiel and Lexi Osowski-Anderson were selected to the Auburn Tiger Invitational All-Tournament Team. Benefiel, a junior pitcher from Pendleton, Indiana, threw three complete games at the tournament, including shutouts of Dayton and Villanova, while posting a 1.75 ERA, A WHIP of 1.000 and holding opposing batters to a .192 batting average. She also pitched 19 shutout innings in her 20 total innings in the circle during the tournament. Osowski-Anderson, a graduate third baseman from San Diego, California, batted .333 over the weekend, collecting five hits – including the game-winning RBI with her first home run of the season against Villanova – and finished with a .533 slugging percentage and a .375 on-base percentage. She also recorded her 200th career hit with her first-inning single against No. 21 nationally ranked Auburn on Sunday.