STORRS, Conn. – The Butler softball team lost a pitcher's duel with league-leading UConn, falling, 2-1, in game one of a three-game set. The Bulldogs (15-25, 9-4 BIG EAST) scored one in the sixth inning, but that was matched by the Huskies (26-11, 13-3 BIG EAST) in the bottom half. A walk-off double in the final frame gave UConn one-run victory.
How It Happened
In the second inning,
Monique Hoosen sent a deep ball to left, but UConn left fielder Kaitlyn Kibling snagged it just above the top of the wall, denying the home run. The Bulldogs then stranded two runners in the third inning, the fourth, and again in the fifth, and the game remained scoreless through five complete.
In the sixth,
Paige Dorsett hit a leadoff home run over the left field fence, giving Butler a 1-0 lead. UConn responded in the bottom half, and the teams were tied, 1-1, going into the seventh.
In the top of the seventh, Butler used two singles and a walk to load the bases with only one out. The Huskies made a pitching change and retired the side with two strikeouts.
In the bottom half of the final inning, UConn advanced a runner to second, and a walk-off double from Grace Jenkins ended the game.
Mackenzie Griman (7-12) started in the circle for Butler and threw a complete game. In 6.1 innings, she allowed two runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out five.
Bulldog Bits
- Paige Dorsett's home run was her sixth of the season and seventh of her career.
- Kieli Ryan caught UConn's Lexi Hastings stealing, the Huskie's first time being caught in 28 attempts. Ryan has now caught 12 runners attempting to steal this season.
- Monique Hoosen's stolen base was her first of the season and eighth of her career.
- Cate Lehner's three hits were a career high.
- Mackenzie Griman's pitched her 12th complete game of the season.
Up Next
Butler remains in UConn to complete the conference series. Game two is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 15, with game three on the following Sunday.
