INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler softball team saw a two-run lead dwindle to one in the sixth inning but held on to defeat Creighton, 2-1, in the opening game of a BIG EAST series. The Bulldogs (24-14, 10-5 BIG EAST) scored one run in both the first and fifth, while the Bluejays (14-22, 4-13 BIG EAST) scored one in the sixth but then stranded the tying runner on first in the seventh.
 
How It Happened

• In the first inning, an Ella White double to left-center field pushed Ellie Boyer across to give Butler a 1-0 lead.
• In the fifth, Lauren Fey singled and advance to second. A Mackenzie Griman (2-3, RBI) single drove Fey home and put the Bulldogs up, 2-0.
• In the top of the sixth, Creighton used a pair of hits and a passed ball to close the gap to 2-1. Alyssa Graves replaced Karli Ricketts in the circle.
• In the seventh, Graves walked the first Bluejays batter, but a fielder's choice, a strike out, and a ground out ended the game.

Butler Pitching
Karli Ricketts (12-4) started in the circle for Butler and earned the win. In 5.0 innings, she allowed four hits and one (earned) run, while striking out four. Alyssa Graves (2.0 IP, BB, 3 K) came in from the bullpen in the middle of the sixth and picked up a save.
 
Bulldog Bits

• The win for Karli Ricketts the 31st of her career and moves her into the 7th spot on Butler's all-time list for career wins.
• Ricketts has now pitched 384.1 innings in her career as a Bulldog, and she has landed in the tenth position on Butler's all-time list.
• The save for Alyssa Graves was her second of the season and the fourth of her career.

Up Next
The BIG EAST series with Creighton continues in Indianapolis with game two on Saturday, April 23, at 1 pm. The third and final game is scheduled for Sunday at 12 pm.