Providence captured a Saturday doubleheader from the Bulldogs, taking an 8-0, five-inning win in the first game before pulling out a 2-1 victory in the back half of the twinbill.

After the two wins Saturday, Providence improves to 27-19 on the season and 8-8 in BIG EAST action. Butler is now 15-30 overall and 3-10 in conference play.

The difference in the second game was Vanessa Portillo's two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. Daniela Alvarez made that stand up, improving to 16-6 on the season. Megan McCune picked up the save. The two Friar hurlers combined for 10 strikeouts.

Madi Christiansen cut the deficit in half with a solo home run to center field in the fifth, but the Bulldogs could not find the tying run. Christiansen had two of the Bulldogs' eight hits in the second game. Kaitlin Doud also added two.

Freshman Karli Ricketts was impressive in the circle as the pitch to Portillo was probably the only one she would want back on the afternoon. Ricketts struck out a career-best 12 batters in her six innings of work. She allowed only four hits and one walk.

Providence used a seven-run fourth inning to post an 8-0 victory in the first game of the doubleheader. Butler was limited to one hit in the contest. Alvarez picked up the win.

The teams are scheduled to conclude the three-game series with a single game Sunday. The first pitch has been moved up to 10 a.m. due to rain in the forecast for later in the day.