LEESBURG, Fla. – The Butler softball team lost its opening game of the 2023 season to Minnesota and then saw its second contest cut short due to local storms.
 
Game 1: Minnesota- 18, Butler- 2 (5 innings)
 
The Gophers jumped to a 7-0 lead after two complete innings of play. Butler scored two runs in the top of the third, on an Ella White double, but Minnesota responded with three in the bottom half and added eight more in the fourth. A scoreless fifth for the Bulldogs left the final score at 18-2.
 
Mackenzie Griman (0-1) started in the circle and took the loss. She went 1.2 innings, and, after relief from Sydney Cammon (1.1-IP, 3H, 3R, 2ER, 2K) and Kayla Noerr (.1-IP, 4H, 7R, 7ER, K), the starter returned in the fourth to record two additional outs. Overall, Griman faced 18 batters, giving up eight runs (6 earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out two.
 
Game 2 (incomplete): Western Kentucky- 5, Butler- 0 (3 innings)
 
Heavy rains halted the game in the top of the fourth inning with Western Kentucky leading, 5-0. The decision to resume play is to be determined.
 
Bulldog Bits

• Sydney Cammon (graduate transfer – Eastern Illinois) made her first official appearance in a Butler uniform, facing seven batters.
• Kayla Noerr, who redshirted the 2022 season, also recorded her first official pitch as a Bulldog.
• Freshmen Morgan Robertson, Emily Todor, Cate Lehner, and Olivia Moxley all made their first career appearance vs. Minnesota.

Up Next
Butler remains in Leesburg, Fla., for its next two games at the Spring Games on Saturday, Feb. 11. The Bulldogs will play Marshall at 11 a.m. and Portland State at 1:30 p.m.