INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler softball team is one game closer to a BIG EAST Tournament berth after a 3-0 shutout of Providence on Saturday. The Bulldogs (28-15, 13-6 BIG EAST) scored in the second and fourth innings, while the Friars (24-18, 10-10 BIG EAST) stranded all five runners who reached base.
 
How It Happened

• In the second inning, Teagan O'Rilley hit a ball to second base which allowed Maddie Moore to cross the plate.
• In the fourth, pinch runner Emily Perrelle scored on an Ella White (2-3, RBI, R) single. Later in the inning, after a Monique Hoosen double, Loren Simpson hit a sacrifice fly that sent White home from third. The Dawgs now led, 3-0.
• Providence got one runner on in the fifth, and one in the sixth, but was unable to score.

Butler Pitching
Alyssa Graves (12-3) started for Butler and earned the win. In 7.0 innings, she allowed five hits, without giving up a run or walk, and struck out six.
 
Bulldog Bits

• The win today was the 39th for Alyssa Graves in her career. She has now moved into a tie for the fourth position (Lynne Ittenbach, '87-'90) on Butler's all-time list for career wins. She has also moved into the fourth spot for career innings pitched (526.0) and the seventh spot for complete games (37).
• Monique Hoosen's double was her fifth of the season and of her career.
• The Bulldogs have the opportunity to clinch a spot in the four-team BIG EAST Tournament with a win against Providence on Sunday. With a loss, Butler will still be in the hunt next weekend at Georgetown.

Up Next
Butler will host the series finale with Providence on Sunday, May 1, at 1 pm. On Wednesday, May 4, the Bulldogs will travel to Morehead State for a doubleheader.