Western Kentucky University softball lost to Jacksonville State 4-2 on Friday, March 13 at Jana McGinnis Field in Jacksonville, Alabama. The Hilltoppers held the Gamecocks scoreless through more than five innings but could not hold the lead late in the game.
The result brings WKU’s overall record to 19-4 and ends their 14-game winning streak, which was the longest in program history. Both teams now stand at 3-1 in Conference USA play.
Erica Houge started for WKU and pitched 5.1 scoreless innings before being relieved by Rylan Smith. Jacksonville State got its first baserunner of the sixth inning with a walk and scored its first run with a double. The Gamecocks then put together three consecutive singles to add three more runs, taking a 4-0 lead before WKU could end the inning.
In the seventh inning, Lauren Satterly pinch hit for Katie Murphy and drew a walk. Murphy returned as a runner, and another walk put her in scoring position. Kendle White advanced both runners with a groundout, setting up Jenna Blanton for an RBI single that scored Murphy. Blanton then stole second base, and Annie White followed with another RBI single to bring home Morgan Sharpe. However, WKU’s comeback ended with two consecutive outs.
Houge finished with two strikeouts on the night. Annie White extended her hitting streak to seven games while Morgan Sharpe reached base for the fifteenth straight game and went 2-for-2 at the plate with both a double and a triple.
WKU will face Jacksonville State again in Game Two of the series on Saturday, March 14 at 1 p.m., with coverage available on ESPN+.
