Butler tipped off the 2020 campaign in style Friday, posting a pair of wins to open the season. The Bulldogs topped Green Bay, 9-3, followed by a 3-2 victory over Evansville. Butler is opening the season at The Dome in Rosemont, Ill.

Butler got out of the gates strong against Green Bay, scoring multiple runs in each of the first four innings of the game. Butler's offense was helped by five extra-base hits, including Karli Ricketts' first home run of the season and two triples by senior Madi Christiansen.

Christiansen's first triple of the season plated Maddie Moore for a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Bri Avery got into the act in the second inning, as her triple scored Alyssa Garcia. Lauren Fey then singled in Avery for a 4-0 advantage.

Garcia's double down the left field line scored Christiansen in the third before Payton Longest knocked in Garcia with an RBI double. That 6-0 lead was important because Green Bay responded with three runs in the top of the fourth. Butler would then put the game out of reach with three runs in the bottom half of the frame, highlighted by a two-run home run by Ricketts to left center.

Starter Alyssa Graves went the distance in picking up her first win of the season. She struck out 10 Phoenix batters.

Fey and Garcia each went 3-for-3 as the Bulldogs totaled 11 hits.

Ricketts starred for Butler in the second game, pitching seven strong innings in the circle as Butler came away with a 3-2 win over Evansville. Ricketts struck out 11 while allowing only four hits and two walks.

Ricketts also got the Bulldogs on the board in the top of the third inning with an RBI single that scored Avery. Fey would also come across later in the inning on a wild pitch.

Evansville pulled within one with a solo home run in the fourth.

Maddie Moore's double to left center scored Fey and gave Butler a crucial insurance run. That 3-1 lead would be challenged in the bottom of the seventh as Evansville pushed across a run with one out before Ricketts stranded the tying run at second base.

Avery had two of Butler's five hits in the contest.

The Bulldogs continue play in Rosemont Saturday, facing off with Nebraska-Omaha and Loyola Chicago. Butler's first game is against Omaha at 12:30 p.m. (Central).