PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Butler softball team won its sixth consecutive game on Friday, a 7-1 victory over BIG EAST opponent Providence. The win, in game one of the three-game series, keeps the Bulldogs atop the conference standings with a perfect 4-0 start.
 
The Friars (9-15, 2-5 BIG EAST) scored one run in the third inning to take an early lead, but the Bulldogs (10-18, 4-0 BIG EAST) used four extra-base hits in a three-inning span to respond with seven unanswered runs.
 
How It Happened
Providence took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third off a Butler error along with two singles. The Bulldogs ended the inning when catcher Kieli Ryan picked off a Friars base runner at second base.
 
Butler loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth and tied the game at one when Ellie Boyer drew a walk. Kaylee Gross then hit a single to left, sending Monique Hoosen and Olivia Moxley home and giving the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead.
 
In the top of the fifth, back-to-back doubles by Ella White and Paige Dorsett extended Butler's lead to three runs. Three batters later, Hoosen hit a two-run home run to left center, giving the Dawgs a 6-1 cushion.
 
A White triple in the sixth pushed Gross across and extended the lead by one.
 
The game ended in the bottom of the seventh with Ryan picked off her second runner of the day from behind the plate, this time at first base.
 
Mackenzie Griman (5-7) started in the circle for Butler, pitched her eighth complete game of the season, and picked up the win. In 7.0 innings, she allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three.
 
Bulldog Bits

• Monique Hoosen's home run was her sixth of the season and the 19^th of her career. She is now tied for sixth on Butler's all-time list.
• Ella White's triple was her first of the season and the fourth of her career. Her double was her sixth of the season and the 17^th of her career.
• Paige Dorsett's double was her fourth of the season and the sixth of her career. She is 9-for-19 (.474) in the past six games with at least one hit in each.
• Kaylee Gross had two stolen bases in the game, her eighth and ninth of the season. She now has ten in her career.
• Gross is 12-for-19 (.632) in the past six games, with three hits in two of them.
• Mackenzie Griman's win in the circle was her fifth of the season and the 13^th of her career.

Up Next
After a day off on Saturday, Butler remains in Providence for games two and three of the series on Sunday, Mar. 26. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m.