Kentucky Takes Care of Business In Tidy Victory
Jase Felker drove in three runs, Devin Burkes had two more doubles and the pitching staff struck out 13 batters as Kentucky avenged a loss to Ohio last season with a 9-2 victory at Kentucky Proud Park on Wednesday. The Wildcats (11-2) now are riding a seven-game win streak and will test their mettle on the road at Southern Illinois this weekend in the final non-conference series. Nolan McCarthy erased an early deficit with a two-run double and Felker remained red hot with a pair of singles that brought home three runs to help power the offense. Pitcher Austin Strickland picked up the win on the mound after turning in impressive work extricating the Cats from an early bases loaded situation to lead a parade of pitchers who turned in strong relief efforts.
Coffel’s Three-Run Bomb Gives Kentucky 5-4 Win over Dayton
Erin Coffel saved the day Wednesday night as the All-American belted a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 4-2 deficit and turn it into a 5-4 lead, one the No. 16 Kentucky Softball team would consolidate into a win over Dayton in its home opener at John Cropp Stadium. Stephanie Schoonover won her eighth game of the season in the circle for Kentucky in relief, throwing the final four innings of the game without surrendering an earned run on just two hits and seven strikeouts. Kennedy Sullivan started the game and Alexia Lacatena pitched two innings in relief without allowing a run on just one hit and one strikeout.
Liggett Earns National Pitcher of the Week Honors
University of Louisville starting pitcher Carson Liggett added another weekly honor to his name as he was tabbed the Dick Howser Trophy National Pitcher of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Liggett is the first Louisville player to win a NCBWA National Player of the Week award since Logan Wyatt in 2019. The right-hander tossed a seven-inning complete game shutout with just one hit allowed on Sunday against Michigan in the finale of the 2023 Shriners Children’s College Classic in Houston. Liggett allowed just three baserunners during the seven-inning contest and retired 16 of the final 17 batters he faced. The sophomore improved to 3-0 on the season and lowered his ERA through three starts to 1.53.
WKU Baseball Announces Venue Changes for Austin Peay Game
Due to field conditions, WKU Baseball will now face Austin Peay at Nick Denes Field on Tuesday, March 14 at 3 p.m. CT in a game that was originally supposed to be played at 6 p.m. CT in Clarksville, Tenn. Due to this change, WKU Baseball will now travel to Clarksville, Tenn. on Tuesday, April 25 to play a road game against the Governors at 6 p.m. CT. Another possible change could come as early as this weekend with due to weather conditions on Sunday, March 12. This change would include making Saturday, March 11 against South Dakota State a doubleheader with both games going nine innings. If this change were to take place, there will not be a game being played on Sunday, March 12. The final decision on this change will be made at some point tomorrow morning. The Friday game against South Dakota State remains as scheduled.
Tops Take Eastern Kentucky, 3-2, Into 13 Innings
Kicking off the first midweek of the 2023 season for the Hilltoppers, WKU defeated Eastern Kentucky, 3-2, Wednesday night in 13 innings in Richmond as Katie Gardner got her 12th start of the season and enjoyed a stellar night from the circle with ten strikeouts, six hits, one earned run and two walks. Freshman Maddy Wood garnered her second win of the season with a four-inning closing and only accumulated one hit, with three strikeouts and a walk. Picking up her eighth and ninth RBIs on the year, Randi Drinnon drives two in for her first RBIs in seven games, on top of two hits. Six other Hilltoppers collected hits during the evening match up to total the Hilltoppers’ 13 – just short of the season-high 14 collective hits.