Gardner pitches 11-inning shutout as Tops down Jax State

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - Katie Gardner and WKU Softball earned a 4-0 win in extra innings in the three-game series finale against Jacksonville State on Sunday. The Tops now move to 14-7 in Conference USA action.

Gardner picked up her eighth complete game shutout of the season, while earning six strikeouts from the circle, and is now tied for second all-time with Hilltopper All-American Miranda Kramer for most innings pitched in a single game.

WKU 4, JAX STATE 0

The Tops and Gamecocks stayed scoreless after a regulation seven innings and each team had picked up five hits apiece.

WKU got moving in the top of the 11th inning after loading the bases from a walk and back-to-back singles. Sophie Weber collected her first RBI in 11 games with a single up the middle to take the quick, 1-0 lead.

Randi Drinnon would find the right-center wall for her fifth double of the season and add some insurance with two more runs. Kelsey Schmidt wrapped up scoring with an RBI sacrifice-fly into center field as the Hilltoppers stayed in front, 4-0.

Right-hander Katie Gardner was monumental in the circle for WKU as she threw 11 innings and gave up no runs off of six hits. Despite allowing six walks, Gardner picked up six strikeouts – her most in five games.