Story of the Day

WKU softball drops midweek matchup to Louisville, 13-4, after big second inning and late surge

AuthorEditorial Team

Published

March 19, 2026/10:36 AM

Section

Sport

WKU softball drops midweek matchup to Louisville, 13-4, after big second inning and late surge — Source: Wikimedia Commons / Author: University of Louisville

Louisville’s power and run production decide March 18 meeting in Bowling Green

Western Kentucky fell to Louisville 13-4 on Wednesday night, March 18, 2026, in a nonconference softball matchup played at the WKU Softball Complex in Bowling Green. The result moved Louisville to 21-7 and left WKU at 19-7.

The game swung decisively in the top of the second inning, when Louisville scored four runs and set a tone that WKU could not fully counter despite a brief third-inning rally. Louisville finished with 14 hits and three home runs, while WKU produced six hits and one home run.

How the scoring unfolded

Second inning: Louisville broke the scoreless tie with four runs, highlighted by an inside-the-park grand slam from Chelsea Mack.
Third inning: WKU responded with three runs to cut the deficit to 4-3, using a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly to get back within one.
Fourth inning: Louisville answered immediately with four more runs, restoring separation and extending the lead to 8-3.
Fifth inning: Louisville added three runs, including a three-run home run, while WKU scored once in the bottom half to avoid an early stoppage and make it 11-4.
Seventh inning: Louisville tacked on two additional runs with a two-run homer to reach the 13-4 final.

Key performances

Louisville catcher Bri Despines drove in five runs and went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a single and a walk. Mack, Louisville’s center fielder, finished with four RBIs and four runs scored, going 4-for-5 at the plate.

In the circle, Louisville’s Anna Wise earned the win to improve to 7-3. WKU’s Erica Houge took the loss and moved to 10-3.

Louisville’s three home runs accounted for a large share of its scoring, while WKU’s early response was offset by Louisville’s immediate run production in the middle innings.

What it means going forward

The midweek result fit into a scheduling window that brought the teams together in Bowling Green on March 18. WKU’s 2026 slate includes extensive home dates early in the season and a mix of conference and nonconference opponents, while Louisville’s schedule features a heavy road component around the start of ACC play.

Louisville is scheduled to continue play with a weekend tournament in Columbus, Ohio, beginning Friday, March 20. WKU’s broader March schedule includes conference competition immediately before and after the Louisville matchup.