ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Butler softball team opened the 2025 season with two victories at the Rosemont Dome Tournament hosted by DePaul. The Bulldogs defeated St. Thomas, 5-4, and then followed that with a 7-1 victory over Green Bay.
Makena Alexander had two home runs vs. Green Bay and led the Dawgs with 4 RBI for the day.
Leigh Vande Hei went 4-for-5 on the day with 2 RBI. In the circle,
Gwen Baker began her career at Butler with a complete-game win and a save.
Game 1: Butler 5, St. Thomas 4 (7 innings)
In the top of the first inning, a bases-loaded single from
Olivia Moxley (2-4, 3 RBI) sent
Ella White and
Makena Alexander across. The 2-0 lead held through four complete.
In the top of the fifth, White connected on a solo home run to extend the lead to 3-0. St. Thomas answered in the bottom half with a bases-clearing double, tying the game, 3-3.
In the sixth, a
Paige Dorsett RBI single put Butler back on top. Moxley knocked in one more, and the Dawgs once again had a two-run lead. In the bottom half, the Tommies put two runners on, with no outs, but could not score.
In the top of the seventh, Butler loaded the bases but were stymied at the plate. In its final at bat, St. Thomas loaded the bases with no outs. A sacrifice fly scored one, but that ended the scoring.
Katie Petran (4IP, 5H, 2ER, 2BB, 6K) started in the circle for the Bulldogs.
Rylyn Dyer (1-0) entered in the bottom of the fifth with two on and no one out and ultimately earned the win. In 2.0 innings, she allowed two runs on five hits.
Gwen Baker (1.0 IP, K) entered in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded. She faced two batters and picked up a save.
Game 2: Butler 7, Green Bay 1 (7 innings)
Green Bay scored one in the first inning to take an early lead. In the bottom half,
Cate Lehner doubled and was pushed to third by a misplayed
Hailey Conger bunt.
Makena Alexander (2-4, 2HR, 4RBI) then homered, putting Butler up, 3-1.
In the fourth,
Leigh Vande Hei (2-2, 2 RBI) singled and then scored on a throwing error after Lehner singled to right field. The Dawgs extended their lead to three runs.
One inning later, Alexander launched her second dinger of the game. Then, with the bases loaded, Vande Hei hit another single that pushed two more across. Butler was pulling away at 7-1.
Gwen Baker made her first career start in the circle and picked up her first complete-game win. In 7.0 innings, she gave up one run on five hits and two walks while striking out eight.
Bulldog Bits
- Ella White's home run vs. St. Thomas was the 23rd of her career.
- Makena Alexander's two home runs vs. Green Bay gave her five for her career.
- Gwen Baker made her first career appearance vs. St. Thomas, striking out the final batter to pick up a save. She made her first career start vs. Green Bay, producing her first complete game and her first win.
- Rylyn Dyer's win in the circle vs. St. Thomas was the seventh in her career.
Up Next
Butler remains in Rosemont, Illinois, for its next two games at the Rosemont Dome Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 8. The Bulldogs will play Detroit Mercy at 1:30 pm ET (12:30 pm CT) and Valparaiso at 4 pm ET (3 pm CT).
