ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Butler softball team fell in both of its games on the opening day of the BIG EAST Championship, losing a 2-0 decision to Villanova and then falling to UConn, 4-1. The two losses eliminated the No. 2 seed Bulldogs from tournament.
In game one, the No. 3 seed Wildcats scored in the first and third innings and, defensively, didn't allow Butler more than one hit in any single inning. In the consolation game, Butler faced the No. 1 seed Huskies, who were earlier upset by No. 4 seed DePaul. The Bulldogs scored a run in the second and led through four innings, but UConn scored in the fifth, sixth, and seventh to secure the win.
Game 1: (#3) Villanova- 2, (#2) Butler- 0 (7 innings)
- In the top of the first, Villanova strung together three hits to take an early 1-0 lead.
- Two innings later, in the third, the Wildcats used a sacrifice fly to increase the lead to 2-0.
- In the bottom of the fifth, Butler advanced runners to second and third but could not get any across the plate.
Alyssa Graves (14-4) pitched a complete game for Butler and took the loss. In 7.0 innings, she allowed seven hits and two runs (both earned). While not conceding a walk, she struck out nine.
Game 2: (#1) UConn- 4, (#2) Butler- 1 (7 innings)
- After Butler loaded the bases with two outs in the second, Bri Avery drew a walk to push in the first run of the game. A UConn pitching change helped the Huskies end the inning only one run down.
- In the top of the fifth, UConn singled with a runner on third to tie the score. One batter later, the second triple of the inning put the Huskies up, 2-1. Alyssa Graves came in to replace Karli Ricketts in the circle, and she retired the side.
- In the sixth, UConn added one more, increasing the lead to 3-1.
- When the Huskies loaded the bases, with one out in the top of the seventh, Ricketts re-entered the pitching circle. A subsequent single gave UConn its fourth and final run of the game.
- Butler put two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh, but a double-play ended the game.
Karli Ricketts (14-6) started for Butler and initially lasted 4.2 innings. In that portion, she allowed five hits, two runs (both earned), and two walks while striking out seven.
Alyssa Graves (H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, K) provided relief in the fifth and stayed in for 1.2 innings. After Ricketts re-entered the circle in the seventh, she allowed one more hit and added a strikeout. She was ultimately credited with the loss.
Bulldog Bits
- With 153 strikeouts this season, Karli Ricketts has moved into the eighth spot on Butler's single-season list, and with 141 strikeouts, Alyssa Graves has moved into the 10th spot.
- With a career batting average of .380, Lauren Fey is now second on Butler's career list.
- The 2022 Butler softball team now ranks on several of Butler's single-season lists, including: 1st in conference wins (16), 2nd in drawn walks (150), 3rd in wins (31), 4th in (pitching) strikeouts (342), T4th in team shutouts (9), 6th in home runs (27), stolen bases (64), and winning percentage (.646), and 9th in batting average (.268).
