EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Butler softball team battled cold temperatures on Friday to come away with a pair of wins on the road at Evansville. The Bulldogs (6-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) came from behind to win the first game, 4-3, and then pulled away late from the Purple Aces (3-4, 0-0 Missouri Valley) for a 12-4 decisive victory in the nightcap.
Game 1: Butler 4, Evansville 3 (7 innings)
Four Evansville singles in the first inning produced a 3-0 lead for the Aces.
In the top of the third,
Cate Lehner reached base on an error, advanced to third, and then scored on a wild pitch.
Paige Dorsett then singled to left center, sending
Ella White home from second. Evansville's lead was cut to one.
In the top of the fifth, White walked, and a
Makena Alexander double allowed her to score. The game was tied at three. In the bottom half, three walks loaded the bases for the Aces, but they could not push one across.
In the sixth inning,
Sydney Carter walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Lehner then singled through the left side, sending Carter home and putting the Dawgs in the lead for good, 4-3.
Gwen Baker (2-0) started in the circle for the Bulldogs and picked up the win. In 5.0 innings, she allowed three runs on eight hits and four walks with two strikeouts.
Rylyn Dyer (2.0 IP, 3K) entered at the top of the fifth inning and finished the game to earn a save.
Game 2: Butler 12, Evansville 4 (7 innings)
In the top of the first inning,
Cate Lehner and
Hailey Conger both singled and advanced on a wild pitch.
Ella White hit a third single to send them both across, and the Dawgs took and early, 2-0, lead.
In the bottom of the second, Evansville used a home run and a sacrifice fly to respond with two runs of its own. The game was tied.
In the third, White picked up two more RBI on a two-run home run that also brought Conger to the plate. Butler was again in the lead, 4-2. In the bottom half, the Aces used a two-run single to once again tie the score.
One inning later, the Bulldogs advanced runners to second and third base. Lehner hit an infield single that allowed both to score. The Dawgs re-took the lead, 6-4.
In the top of the sixth, Butler used two singles and an error to increase the lead to 7-4. In the bottom half, Evansville loaded the bases, forcing a pitching change, but could not cut into the lead.
In the final inning, a double from
Makena Alexander was followed by a run-scoring single from
Paige Lillie. Two batters later,
Alona Boydston knocked in Lillie, and the lead increased to 9-4. After a wild pitch led to another run,
Erin Clark pushed two more across on a bases-loaded single. The Dawgs held a commanding, 12-4, lead.
Katie Petran (2-0) started in the circle for Butler and earned the win. In 5.1 innings she allowed four runs on eight hits and five walks with seven strikeouts.
Rylyn Dyer (1.2 IP, H, 3K) entered in the sixth with one out and the bases loaded but forced the Aces into a double play. She finished the game picked up her second save of the day.
Bulldog Bits
- Ella White's home run in game two was her third of the season and the 25th of her career. She is now tied for third on Butler's All-Time Career home run list.
- With three stolen bases today, Cate Lehner now has 47 in her career.
- Makena Alexander's two doubles today were her first this season and give her five in her career.
- Gwen Baker's win in the circle in game one was her second this season.
- Katie Petran's win in game two was her second this season and the 17th of her career.
- Rylyn Dyer's two saves were the third and fourth of her career.
Up Next
Butler heads to Murray, Kentucky, for the Velvet Milkman Classic from February 22-23. Scheduled opponents are Lindenwood, Western Illinois, and the host, Murray State.
