BOWLING GREEN, Ky – North Texas and Western Kentucky softball split a Saturday doubleheader in a top of the conference clash.
 
The Mean Green (26-13, 11-3) took game one 8-2 before falling to the Hilltoppers (28-9, 11-3) 3-1 in game two. Shelby Nunn allowed just two hits and one run in game two for Western Kentucky.
 
"She pitched a great game," head coach Rodney DeLong said. "The zone was wide. When the zone is wide it's tough against a good pitcher. She used it to her advantage and threw a good game."
 
Hope Trautwein pitched well in game one for North Texas going the distance and allowing just two earned runs on six hits.
 
"Hope started a little slow but beared down," DeLong said. "She really competed. Hope threw a great game."
 
North Texas 8, WKU 2
Trautwein surrendered a solo home run in the first inning before not allowing a hit until the sixth inning. She allowed another solo shot in the sixth which would be the final run for the Hilltoppers. The Mean Green struck early and often again.
 
Tayla Evans doubled to left in the first scoring one before Rhylie Makawe hit a sac-fly scoring Lacy Gregory. The Mean Green added two more runs in the second when Katie Clark doubled to left. Clark stole third and advanced home on an error.
 
"Any time you can put pressure on a team you're playing it's a good thing," DeLong said. "Especially in big games. It really helps out your pitcher."
 
Clark finished 3-for-3 in her first start since March 31. Gregory drew three walks, a career high.

North Texas struck for four insurance runs in the seventh starting first with Harley Perella's no-doubt two run homer to left – her sixth homer of the season and her team-leading 34th RBI.
 
"That was a huge hit," DeLong said. "It was a huge situation and she came up big for the team right there."
 
WKU 3, North Texas 1
The Hilltoppers jumped out front with another first inning solo home run. WKU would add a run in the third and another in the fifth to take a 3-0 lead. Bailey Tindell got the start before making way for Jenna Goodrich. Tindell re-entered going 4.1 innings allowing two runs on five hits. Goodrich pitched 1.2 innings allowing a run and three hits.
 
North Texas scored in the seventh when Makawe grounded out pushing pinch-runner Kourtney Williams across the dish. Gregory doubled in the loss. Evans had the Mean Green's second hit.
 
The series finale is set for 1 p.m. Sunday. The winner will take hold of sole possession of first place in Conference USA.
 
"We need good energy," DeLong said. "We need to play a clean game. I imagine they will rise to the occasion. We are excited about it. Hopefully we come in and win the series."