As the Bulldogs prepare to open the 2020 season this weekend, coach Scott Hall doesn't have to look far to find one of the team's biggest strengths. Butler returns talented arms in the circle and an exciting duo behind the plate.

Junior left-hander Alyssa Graves returns to once again lead the pitching staff. Her 2019 ERA of 3.12 was the sixth-best mark in the BIG EAST. With devastating offspeed stuff, Graves was able to register 179 strikeouts in 143.2 innings of work. Her strikeout total led the conference. She had five games with 10 or more strikeouts.

Graves made 30 appearances, including 26 starts. Her 6-16 record last season is arguably the team's most deceiving statistic. The Bulldogs lost 18 games in which she appeared, but in 13 of those contests, Graves allowed three or fewer earned runs. Graves' work in the circle a season ago was strong, and if the Butler offense can help her with more run support, her win-loss record should improve greatly in 2020.

Sophomore Karli Ricketts will also see extensive work in the circle to go along with designated player duties when she is not pitching.

Ricketts got better as the season went on, earning BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week honors in the final week of the season 6 after pitching a one-hit shutout (six innings) in the season finale win over regular season champion St. John's. She had 46 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched in BIG EAST play, including two double-digit strikeout performances.

In 25 total appearances as a freshman, Ricketts posted an ERA of 3.34.

"Alyssa and Karli give us two distinct looks," said Hall. "You have a lefty and a righty, one who utilizes her change-up, while the other lives hard and up. Both are gaining confidence and you can see the strength they have added in the weight room."

Madison Seigworth was limited to only six appearances as a true freshman due to injury. She looks to have a much larger impact in 2020. Her strength comes in keeping batters off-balance with the movement on all of her pitchers, movement that is described by Hall as "phenomenal."

Freshman Mackenzie Griman will spend time in the circle and in the field, which is reminiscent of graduating senior Kaitlin Doud and her 2019 campaign. Griman arrives on the Butler campus from Mishawaka, Ind. The 2019 All-State first team selection posted ERAs of 1.30, 1.86 and 0.55 over her final three seasons at Penn High School. She helped her team to a state runner-up finish in 2016.

"Mackenzie has a heavy dropball, which will translate well to the college level," said Hall. "She also is a good fielder who helps us defensively in the infield as soon as she lets go of the ball."

Dani Deuschle also returns to add depth to the staff. She pitched in two games, totaling 3.1 innings, as a freshman last season.

Butler lost Sammy Andersen and Cheyenne Thompson to graduation after the duo started a majority of Butler's games at catcher a season ago.

Elyse Babb, back much stronger from a knee injury that has lingered over parts of the past few seasons, will see significant time behind the plate and in the heart of Butler's line-up.

"Elyse hit the ball really well in the fall, and that has continued over the past few weeks," said Hall. "She's working good at-bats. You can see that her leg is stronger, and that's led to more power at the plate and better movement when she's catching."

Freshman Lexi Bowdish will also see time at catcher.

"Lexi is a shutdown catcher with her arm," said Hall. "She's mobile and has good glove work. At this point, it's just about adjusting to D-I pitching."

Bowdish is a three-time first-team All-State selection from Manteno, Ill.

Senior Christina Candotti, who will see a majority of her time at third base this season, is the team's third catcher.

The Bulldogs will rely upon several arms to carry them back to the BIG EAST Tournament field in 2020.