CHICAGO – The Butler softball team split a doubleheader with DePaul, clinching the BIG EAST series, two games to one. The teams played a total of 18 innings on Saturday, with the Blue Demons (8-25, 3-9 BIG EAST) taking the first contest, 4-3, after nine innings. The Bulldogs (17-20, 6-9 BIG EAST) won the nightcap, also in nine innings, buy the score of 7-6.
Game 2: DePaul 4, Butler 3 (9 innings)
Ella White opened the scoring with a solo home run in the top of the first inning. DePaul countered in the bottom half, using five consecutive singles to push three across. The Blue Demons held a 3-1 lead that held through five complete.
In the sixth, White drew a walk and later advanced to second. A
Sydney Carter single knocked White around to score, drawing the Dawgs to within one, 3-2.
In the top of the seventh, Butler had runners on second and third with one out.
Hailey Conger hit a drive to left field that allowed
Leigh Vande Hei to slide across home. The game was tied, 3-3.
DePaul advanced runners to second and third in the bottom of the seventh, but Butler hurler
Rylyn Dyer retired the next batter and sent the game into extras.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Blue Demons advanced runners to second and third with no outs. A single up the middle from Bibianna Rodriguez ended the game.
Rylyn Dyer (8.0IP, 3R, 10H, 3K) started for Butler and pitched one batter into the ninth inning, leaving with one runner on base.
Sydney Cammon entered in relief and faced two batters, ultimately yielding the game-winning, unearned run in the final at bat. Dyer was dealt the loss.
Game 3: Butler 7, DePaul 6 (9 innings)
Teagan O'Rilley hit a solo home run to lead off the second inning. Later, a sacrifice fly from
Sydney Carter allowed
Olivia Roberts to slide home safely. Butler took an early, 2-0, lead.
In the fourth, a
Kieli Ryan single allowed
Leigh Vande Hei to score from second base. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 3-0.
With
Olivia Moxley and
Hailey Conger on base in the fifth,
Ella White hit a bases-clearing triple and extended the lead to 5-0.
In the bottom of the sixth, DePaul's bats came to life. After a run-scoring single, the Blue Demons had two runners on base. Ava Paganis hit a three-run long ball, bringing DePaul to within one run, at 5-4.
Sydney Cammon was summoned to the circle, replacing
Katie Petran, and she was able to end the rally.
In the top of the seventh,
Cate Lehner advanced to third base. With the squeeze play called, a bunt from White allowed Lehner to score and gave the Bulldogs a 6-4 lead.
In the bottom half of the frame, Paganis came through again, this time with a two-RBI single. The game was tied at six runs apiece entering the eighth inning.
In the top of the ninth, Butler loaded the bases.
Paige Dorsett hit a line drive to center that was caught, but Lehner was able to score and put the Dawgs up one. In the bottom half, Cammon shut down the Blue Demons, who were unable to produce a baserunner.
Kayla Noerr (3.0IP, 3H, BB, 2K) pitched for Butler through one batter into the fourth inning, keeping DePaul off the scoreboard.
Katie Petran (2.1IP, 4R, 3H, BB, 2K) provided relief in the middle innings and lasted into the middle of the sixth.
Sydney Cammon finished the game for the Bulldogs and picked up the win. In 3.2 innings, she allowed two runs on four hits and two walks, striking out two.
Bulldog Bits
- Ella White's home run in game two of the series was her seventh of the season and 19th of her career. Her double was her 11th of the season and 31st of her career.
- Whites triple in game three was her first of the season and sixth of her career.
- Teagan O'Rilley's home run in game three was her fifth of the season and 13th of her career.
- Cate Lehner's stole three bases on the day. She now has 18 this season and 35 for her career.
- Sydney Cammon's game-three win in the circle was her sixth of the season and tenth as a Bulldog.
Up Next
Butler is scheduled to host (RV) Miami (OH) on Tuesday, April 9. The Bulldogs then travel to Georgetown for a weekend series from April 12-14.
