BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Softball will wrap up its four-game homestand on Thursday
as Jacksonville State comes to town for a 3 p.m. CT, non-conference game on The
Hill. Both the Hilltoppers (18-11) and Gamecocks (11-14) will look to get back into
the win column after suffering setbacks their last time out. The midweek tilt will
be available for streaming on CUSA.tv.
GAME INFORMATION
Thursday, March 22 – 3 p.m. CT vs. Jacksonville State | Stats |
CUSA.tv
Jacksonville State is coming off a 2-2 weekend at the Charleston Invitational and
will open Ohio Valley Conference play following the midweek contest in Bowling
Green. Both JSU and WKU have played a three-game series in Hattiesburg, Miss., at
Southern Miss. The Hilltoppers took two games over the Golden Eagles while
Jacksonville State claimed just its middle game.
In the all-time series against the Gamecocks, WKU trails 2-1 after dropping last
year’s decision 6-0 in Jacksonville. The previous two games took place in 2010 and
’12 with each decided by one run. This will be the first time the two programs meet
in Bowling Green.
Through 25 games, Jacksonville State owns a collective batting average of .256 on
the year with 174 hits – 54 extra base – for a .377 slugging percentage. In the
circle, the Gamecock pitching staff has registered a 3.42 ERA with 108 strikeouts
while opposing batters hit at a .273 clip.
The Hilltopper offense has been a force to be reckoned with this season as the team
owns a collective batting average of .294 while leading Conference USA in scoring
(5.52), doubles per game (1.79), triples per game (0.34), RBI (140), total bases
(355), slugging percentage (.468), walks drawn (106) and on base percentage (.386).
WKU’s 1.79 doubles per game ranks sixth in the nation.
Individually, Shelby Nunn ranks 19th in victories with 12. Kelsey Aikey owns one of
the 66 no-hitters recorded this year – included the only extra-inning no-hitter –
while ranking 31st in the NCAA with two saves to her name. Jordan Thomas ranks sixth
in walks with 0.86 per game while ranking second in the nation with 25 total walks.
Thomas owns 12 doubles to rank fourth in the country.
Following Thursday’s game with Jacksonville State, head coach Amy Tudor and company
will head to Bloomington, Ind., to take on its second Power 5 opponent of the season
in the Indiana Hoosiers. First pitch on Tuesday, March 27 is slated for 3 p.m. CT.