WKU Softball players Erica Houge and Annie White have been named Conference USA’s Pitcher and Player of the Week for their performances during Week 4, according to an announcement made by the conference on Monday.
The two athletes contributed to the Hilltoppers’ current 10-game winning streak and helped secure a perfect 9-0 record at home during non-conference games. The team also achieved its 47th and 48th victories over Power Four opponents with two wins against Illinois from the Big Ten.
For Erica Houge, this is her second Pitcher of the Week award this season and the third in her career. She earned the honor after throwing a no-hitter—the program’s 14th—against IU Indy on Sunday. “Throwing a seven-inning complete game, Houge only needed 90 pitches to earn the win, averaging just over 12 pitchers per inning. Against the Jaguars, she struck out a total of six while not allowing a Jaguar baserunner past first base,” according to the announcement.
Over three appearances, Houge recorded three wins and completed two full games. In those outings, she pitched 18 innings, allowed only two hits and one earned run, maintained a 0.39 ERA, and held opponents to a .036 batting average.
Annie White received her first career Player of the Week honor after posting a .529 batting average over the weekend. She struck out just once in 21 plate appearances and went nine-for-17 at bat, scoring seven runs. “The Paducah, Kentucky native also slashed a .529/.600/1.1.059 while also smashing two home runs, one of which helped set the team’s single game program record for home runs with six against IU Indy on Friday,” as stated in the release.
White’s standout performance came in a five-inning victory over Illinois where she drove in five runs and was three-for-three at bat, including hitting a three-run home run.
Both players will continue their season as WKU faces Missouri State in a conference series starting Friday, March 6 at 6 p.m. CT.
