TROY – Western Kentucky used a nine-run first inning and that was all the scoring as the Lady Toppers defeated Alabama State 9-0 in five innings on Sunday for the final game of the Troy Chick-Fil-A Invitational.
The Lady Hornets (1-4) were able to hold the score after the first inning, however, with some solid work from relief pitcher Melissa Christmann, who held the Lady Toppers scoreless in three innings of work.
Christmann struck out two, walked just one and allowed three hits.
She threw 41 pitches with 25 accounting for strikes.
Preslie Cruce gave WKU a 2-0 lead on a two-run home run to left-center field. Hannah Parker, Shawna Sadler and Dani Pugh each had RBI singles in the inning for the Lady Toppers (4-1).
One day after throwing a no-hitter against Troy, Western Kentucky pitcher Miranda Kramer was tough to hit as she allowed just two hits on singles by Valerie Centeno and Kendall Core.
Kramer struck out eight and walked none.
ASU will next travel to Monroe, La. to take part in the University of Louisiana-Monroe Tournament.
The Lady Hornets will play Southeast Missouri State Friday at 2 p.m. followed by a game against Louisiana-Monroe upon the conclusion of the first game at the ULM Softball Complex.
Tourney play will continue Saturday with games against SE Missouri State at 9 a.m. followed by another game against Louisiana-Monroe. Both games are scheduled to be played at the ULM Softball Complex.
