The Bulldogs split two 1-0 decisions to open weekend play at the Liberty Softball Classic in Lynchburg, Va. With the results, Butler is now 9-4 on the season.

Butler started off the weekend on the right foot, posting a 1-0 win over Hofstra. Junior left-hander Alyssa Graves struck out 10 while registering the shutout. She moves to 4-1 on the season.

A Karli Ricketts home run in the bottom of the fourth proved to be the difference. The shot down the right field line was Ricketts' fifth blast of the season.

Graves was able to scatter five hits and four walks in her seven innings of work. She had to strand at least one Hofstra baserunner in each inning except the final seventh. Hofstra's best chance came in the top of the sixth as a Butler error and a single resulted in runners on second and third with one out. Graves responded by inducing a lineout and then closing the door with a strikeout.

Butler had six hits in the contest.

The Bulldogs were on the wrong side of a second 1-0 decision later in the day Friday, falling by that score to Penn.

Lucy Yang's solo home run in the bottom of the fourth plated the only run of the contest, which Penn made hold up.

Ricketts was the hard-luck loser, allowing only that single run in six innings of work. She is now 3-3 on the season. The right-hander had 11 strikeouts, while allowing only two hits and two walks.

Four Bulldogs had hits off Penn's Jennifer Brann, who picked up the win. She struck out nine Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs continue play in Lynchburg Saturday with match-ups against Yale and East Carolina.