Butler opened conference play with a doubleheader sweep of Seton Hall Saturday. The Bulldogs' road wins included a 5-4 decision in the opener, followed by a 4-2 triumph in the second game of the day.

The Bulldogs are now 9-7 overall and 2-0 in BIG EAST play. Seton Hall falls to 3-7 (0-2 BIG EAST).

Mackenzie Griman was the offensive hero in the first game with a two-run home run and an RBI double. Her fifth-inning long ball, her first of the season, gave the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead after an early deficit.

After Seton Hall tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, Butler re-took the lead on an RBI single by Lauren Fey in the sixth inning. Christina Candotti provided an important insurance run in the seventh with an RBI double for a 5-3 lead. Seton Hall pushed across one run in the final frame, but was able to even the score.

Karli Ricketts came on in relief of Alyssa Graves and picked up the win. Ricketts gave up only the seventh-inning run in 2.2 innings of work. She struck out four. Graves struck out seven over the first 4.1 innings. Only one of the three runs she allowed was earned.

Fey and Bri Avery combined to go 5-for-8 with four runs at the top of the Butler line-up in the second game of the day.

The Pirates tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third, and the scoreboard read that way until the top of the seventh when the Bulldogs were able to push across two runs and an RBI bunt by Ricketts and then a wild pitch that scored Avery.

Ricketts did her part in the circle, picking up where she left off in game one. The right-hander went the distance, allowing two runs (one earned). She gave up five hits and two walks, while striking out five Pirates.

The teams will finish off the three-game series Sunday with a noon first pitch. Seton Hall plans to stream the contest through the Pirates' web site.