MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Butler softball team posted seven runs in two different games on Friday, defeating IUPUI, 7-2, and Memphis, 7-1. The Bulldogs (10-6) spotted the Jaguars (2-14) a two-run lead, but a seven-run fourth inning by Butler put the game away. Against the Tigers (5-10), the Dawgs again came from behind, taking a 4-1 lead in the third inning and never looking back.
Game 1: Butler- 7, IUPUI- 2 (7 innings)
The Bulldogs stranded five runners in the first two innings and paid the price when IUPUI scored two in the third to take a 2-0 lead. In the top of the fourth,
Lauren Fey hit a bases-loaded single to break the ice for Butler, as
Gracie Voulgaris crossed the plate.
Ellie Boyer (1-2, 2 RBI, R, BB, SB) followed that with another single that scored
Bri Avery (2-3, R) and
Kaylee Gross (2-4, R). The Bulldogs were up 3-2 but were not yet finished.
Ella White (1-2, 2 RBI, R, 2B, BB) doubled in Fey and Boyer, and
Mackenzie Griman hit one over the fence that also brought home White. When the dust settled, Butler held a 7-2 lead.
Alyssa Graves (2-3) went the distance for Butler and picked up the win. She allowed four hits, two runs (one earned), and one walk, while striking out fourteen.
Game 2: Butler- 7, Memphis- 1 (7 innings)
Memphis scored one in the first inning, but Butler scored four in the top of the third to take the lead. An
Ella White single was mishandled by the center fielder allowing
Lauren Fey (2-3, R, BB) and
Kaylee Gross (3-4, 2 R, 2B) to score. Then,
Mackenzie Griman hit her second long ball of the day scoring White and herself. The third ended with the Dawgs in front, 4-1. In the fourth, Butler loaded the bases and
Ellie Boyer (2 RBI, 2 BB) drew a walk, pushing Gross across and increasing the lead to 5-1. In the bottom half Memphis advanced runners to second and third with nobody out, but Karlie Ricketts pitched the Bulldogs out of the jam. In the sixth,
Kinley Longest added to Butler's lead with a career-first solo home run, and Boyer put the ball in play, allowing
Bri Avery (2-3, R) to score.
Karli Ricketts (6-1) was solid all seven innings in the circle for Butler and picked up her sixth win. She allowed only three hits and one (unearned) run along with two walks while striking out six.
Bulldog Bits
- Mackenzie Griman's two home runs were her second and third of the season and the sixth and seventh of her career.
- The solo home run by Kinley Longest was the first of her career.
- Kaylee Gross had five hits on the day in eight at bats.
- The seven-run fourth inning against IUPUI was the Butler's highest offensive output in one inning so far this season. The Bulldogs previously scored five runs in the third inning against Southern Illinois on Feb. 26.
Up Next
Butler remains in Memphis, Tenn., for two more games in the Blues City Classic on Saturday, March 5. The Bulldogs will play Indiana State at 10am ET / 9am CT and Iowa at 12:30pm ET / 11:30am CT.
