Post Games: Game 1: WKU 3 Troy 0. Game 2: WKU8 Troy 1
Mike Clark/HERALD
The lady Tops started off the Sun Belt conference season in fashion. The Hilltoppers welcomed in Troy for a weekend series including a double header starting at 1pm on saturday afternoon. For the Hilltoppers they hadn’t hosted a Conference tournament since opening up the 2010 season at FIU. This time was definitely a welcomed win and boasted a good win for the Tops.
Game one boasted RHP Emily Rousseau. Rousseau went 7 innings allowing only 5 hits and rendering 0 runs. She faced 26 batters and struck out 9 with 98 pitches. Rousseau’s effort was backed by teammates Amanda Thomas and Brooke Holloway as they knocked in RBI’s Holloway’s coming thanks to a two run home run in the 5th inning that went over the right field fence.
For the Trojans they couldn’t get anything going as they failed to knock in a runner. Jaycee Affeldt went 5.2 innings allowing 2 runs off of 5 hits 2 of them earned. She had 86 pitches and rendered a 2.35 ERA. Coming in relief of Affeldt was Sara Mock who allowed 1 hit on 3 batters. Ebony Wright the leading hitter for Troy managed to reach base twice in the opening game opening it with a double to left and later singling in the 6th inning. Other than Wright Erica Davis and Becca Hartley were the only other Trojans to reach however both of them Ended up being stranded on base.
Installment two for WKU boasted Freshman Righty Hannah Miniard. Ms. Miniard went 7 full innings just like Rousseau did in game one. Hannah allowed 1 run off of 6 hits with 102 pitches facing 28 batters, she would finish the afternoon with a 2.37 ERA. Player of game 2 for the Tops was by far and away freshman Andie Martin. Martin was the designated player on the afternoon and she did her job. Martins first at bat hit a first pitch shot that resulted in a solo home run 200 feet to the center field fence. The Tops managed to get a runner across home plate in every inning. Shawna Sadler reached base in every inning except for the 5th when she grounded to 1st. The game the Hilltoppers played in the 2nd game of the double header was flawless in almost every facet.
On the trojan side of the diamond they still lacked the ability to get something working consistently. It would take until the 4th inning for them to get a runner to cross home plate as they had Mackenzie Kayler cross home coming in place of Michelle Phelps. The pitching staff was tested as 3 separate pitchers would face WKU batters. Ashley Rainey would start the game off going 4.1 innings facing 22 batters allowing 6 runs with an ERA of 3.17. Sara Mock would enter the game in the 5th. After walking 3 batters in a row and loading the bases her night would end at 9 pitches and ERA of 3.02. Following Mocks break down Rachel Rigney would enter allowing 1 run on 3 hits and a 4.13 ERA of her own.
The final game of the weekend series will take place tomorrow afternoon at noon at the WKU Softball complex. The Tops will most likely turn to Emily Rousseau to end the series. Following this series the Lady Tops will take a trip to Murray State before heading to Arlington Texas to take on UTA. Thank you all for visiting WTRT for your post game report. Have a safe and pleasant evening and as always… GO TOPS!