INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler softball team and visiting St. John's sit atop the early BIG EAST standings, and the teams were scoreless after five innings in the opening game of a three-game conference series. The Bulldogs (17-8, 6-1 BIG EAST) plated one in the sixth, but the Red Storm (21-9-1, 3-1 BIG EAST) matched it in the top of the seventh. An RBI single in Butler's final at bat gave the Dawgs a walk-off, 2-1, victory.
Game 1: Butler 2, St. John's 1 (7 innings)
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Makenna Alexander hit a solo shot, just inside the right field pole, giving Butler a 1-0 lead with one inning to play.
In the top of the seventh, St. John's scored an unearned run to tie the game. The Red Storm still had one on with only one out, but two strikeouts ended the rally.
In the bottom of the seventh, with two outs,
Cate Lehner singled over the shortstop. One batter later, she stole second and then
Hailey Conger hit a hard single to right center field, allowing Lehner to score and sealing the walk-off win.
Gwen Baker (8-2) started in the circle for Butler and picked up the complete-game victory. In 7.0 innings, she allowed five hits and a walk, striking out eight as only one unearned run came across.
Bulldog Bits
- Makena Alexander's home run was her eighth this season and the 11th of her career.
- Cate Lehner's three stolen bases give her 23 this season and 66 in her career.
Up Next
Butler and St. John's will play both game two and game three of the series on Saturday, March 22, as a doubleheader. First pitch for the contests here in Indianapolis is scheduled for 1 p.m.
