VILLANOVA, Penn. – The Butler softball team won its first two BIG EAST games on Friday against a Villanova team that lost a total of two conference games all last season. The Bulldogs (14-7, 2-0 BIG EAST) never trailed in game one, winning by a final score of 3-1. In game two, Butler's Alyssa Graves shut out the Wildcats (8-14, 0-2 BIG EAST), 6-0.
 
Game 1: Butler- 3, Villanova- 1 (7 innings)
 
In the third inning, Monique Hoosen hit a ball to left field that was mishandled and Teagan O'Rilley (1-2, R) crossed the plate for Butler's first run. One batter later, Maddie Moore (1-3, RBI) singled in Hoosen, and the Bulldogs were up, 2-0. In the bottom half of the same inning, Villanova homered to cut the lead in half. Then, in the fifth, O'Rilley singled and Ella White (2-3, R, 2B) scored on the throw, providing the final margin of victory. Lauren Fey contributed a pair of singles and a stolen base for the Bulldogs.
 
Karli Ricketts (8-1) started for Butler and earned the complete-game victory. She pitched 7.0 innings, allowing two hits, one run (earned), and one walk, while striking out eight.
 
Game 2: Butler- 6, Villanova- 0 (7 innings)
 
In the top of the first, Lauren Fey (2-5, 2 R) singled and advanced to second.  A Mackenzie Griman (3-4, RBI, R) single to right field resulted in a play at the plate, as Fey's contact knocked the ball out of the catcher's glove, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. With two outs in the fifth, Griman singled and Monique Hoosen hit a double. Griman scored on the ensuing throw to put the Bulldogs up, 2-0. In the top of the sixth, Ellie Boyer (2-3, 2 RBI, R, SB) stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. She connected on a two-run single, as Kaylee Gross and Bri Avery were pushed across. Ella White then cracked a two-run double, knocking in Fey and Boyer and forcing a Villanova pitching change. The four-run inning put Butler in control, 6-0, with two to go.
 
Alyssa Graves (3-3) started in the circle for the Bulldogs and pitched a complete-game shutout. In 7.0 innings, she allowed four hits and no walks while striking out six.
 
Bulldog Bits

• The shutout by Alyssa Graves was her first of the season and the eighth of her career. She has now moved into a tie for fourth on Butler's all-time list (Stephanie Burlein, 1998-2001).
• In the two games combined, Butler outhit Villanova, 19-6, and the Bulldogs' pitchers (Ricketts/Graves) struck out 14 Wildcat batters.
• Lauren Fey led the Bulldogs in batting on the day, producing four hits. Ella White and Mackenzie Griman each had three.
• Fey's stolen base was the 41st of her career and brings her to within one of tying for the sixth position on Butler's all-time list.

Up Next
Butler remains in Villanova, Penn., for the third game of the series. Potential rainfall and cold weather have forced the cancellation of a Saturday contest. The teams are looking to finish the series on Sunday, Mar. 13, at 1 pm.