CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Butler softball team lost to UT-Chattanooga, 11-1, but rebounded and defeated Southern Illinois by the final score of 7-2. In game one, the Bulldogs (8-6) held a slim, 1-0 lead in the second inning, but the Mocs (7-6) tied things up and, one inning later, scored ten runs to put the game away. In game two, the Salukis (6-6) scored one early, but Butler scored five in the third and one each in the fourth and fifth to remain in control.
Game 1: Butler- 1, UT-Chattanooga- 11 (5 innings)
In the second inning,
Monique Hoosen homered to put Butler up, 1-0, but Chattanooga answered in the bottom half to tie the score at one. In the third, the Mocs exploded for ten runs jumping to a 11-1 lead.
Alyssa Graves (1-3) started and logged 2.0 innings, taking the loss for Butler. She allowed five hits, five runs (all earned), and one walk, while striking out four.
Madison Seigworth (2 H, 3 R, 2 ER) and
Mackenzie Griman (2 H, 3 R, BB) provided relief out of the bullpen.
Game 2: Southern Illinois- 2, Butler- 7 (7 innings)
Southern Illinois homered in the top of the third to take a 1-0 lead, but Butler countered with a five-run bottom half. An
Ella White triple and a
Teagan O'Rilley sacrifice each knocked in one, and then a
Mackenzie Griman three-run bomb also brought home
Karli Ricketts and
Monique Hoosen. The Bulldogs increased the lead to 6-1 in the fourth when an
Ellie Boyer (3-4, RBI) bunt plated
Bri Avery. In the fifth, the Salukis scored one, but Butler answered with a
Monique Hoosen solo home run and held the 7-2 lead.
Karli Ricketts (5-1) went the distance for Butler in the circle. She allowed five hits and two runs, both earned, along with three walks while striking out four.
Bulldog Bits
- Monique Hoosen's two home runs were her first two of the season and the fourth and fifth of her career.
- Mackenzie Griman's home run was her first of the season and the fifth of her career.
- The SIU game marked the first time in Ellie Boyer's career that she had three hits in a game.
- Butler's two home runs vs. SIU marks the second game this season the team generated a pair of dingers. The feat was also accomplished on Feb. 12 vs. Western Illinois.
- The Bulldogs' seven RBIs matches a season high also achieved in the first game of the season vs. Valparaiso.
Up Next
Butler was scheduled for a rematch with Northern Illinois on Sunday, February 27, but that game has been canceled due to impending wet weather in Chattanooga. The Bulldogs will return to Tennessee next weekend, March 4-6, for the Memphis Blues Classic.
