ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Butler softball team saw its opening-season win streak come to an end on Sunday at the hands of Western Illinois. The Leathernecks (2-1, 0-0 Ohio Valley) won on a walk-off, two-run, home run after the Bulldogs (4-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) had taken a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning. Butler won four of five games at the season-opening Rosemont Dome Tournament near Chicago.
Game 5: Western Illinois 5, Butler 4 (7 innings)
Butler loaded the bases in the top of the first inning, with only one out, but could not get anyone across.
Western Illinois struck first, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth.
In the top of the fifth,
Cate Lehner singled and then scored on a
Hailey Conger triple.
Ella White followed with a home run that also brought Conger across. The game was tied, 3-3.
In the top of the sixth, Butler again loaded the bases with one out. A wild pitch allowed
Olivia Roberts to score, giving the Dawgs their first lead of the day.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Leathernecks hit a two-run home run to end the game.
Gwen Baker (3.1 IP, 3R, 2ER, 6H, 2BB, 2K) started in the circle for Butler and lasted into the fourth.
Rylyn Dyer (2-1) provided relief and took the loss. In 3.0 innings she allowed two runs on four hits.
Bulldog Bits
- Ella White's home run was her second of the season and the 24th of her career.
- With five RBI this weekend, White has moved into a tie for the third spot on Butler's All-Time list for RBI with a career-total of 109.
- Hailey Conger's triple was her first this season and the second of her career.
- Makena Alexander had 12 RBI over the weekend. She had 15 over the entire 2024 season.
Up Next
Butler heads to Evansville, Indiana, for the Aces Tournament from February 14-16. Scheduled opponents are Green Bay, Southern Indiana, and the host, Evansville.
