INDIANAPOLIS – St. John's won both games of a Saturday doubleheader to take the BIG EAST series over Butler, two games to one. Butler took the opening game on Friday afternoon, and the Dawgs were up after five innings in the second game of the series. The Red Storm (23-9-1, 5-1 BIG EAST) then rallied with a big sixth inning, winning 5-4 and tying the series at one game apiece. In the rubber match, the second game of the day on Saturday, St. John's set the tone with a two-run home run in the first inning. The Bulldogs (17-10, 6-3 BIG EAST) scored single runs in the third and fourth innings but were never able to lead in the game.
 
 
Game 2: St. John's 5, Butler 4 (7 innings)
 
St. John's led off the game with a triple and a single to take an early, 1-0, lead.
 
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Butler rallied with two outs and took a three-run lead. With Olivia Roberts on third, Kieli Ryan knocked her in with a double. Sydney Carter and Leigh Vande Hei reached safely to load the bases. Cate Lehner then singled up the middle, and a bobble by the center fielder allowed two runs to cross. The fourth run of the inning came with Hailey Conger singled to right-center field. The Red Storm scored one in the fifth, but the Dawgs still led, 4-2, after five complete.
 
In the top of the sixth, St. John's used a double, three singles and a walk to retake the lead, 5-4.
 
Butler got two on base in the bottom of the sixth and one in the seventh but could not tie the game.
 
Katie Petran (4.1-IP, 2R, 7H, 1BB, 3K) started in the circle for Butler and lasted into the fifth. Rylyn Dyer (5-3) provided relief and ultimately took the loss. In 2.2 innings, she allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out one.
 
 
Game 3: St. John's 8, Butler 2 (7 innings)
 
St. John's used a two-run home run to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
 
In the bottom of the third, Butler got one back. Leigh Vande Hei doubled, advanced to third on a fielder's choice, and scored on a wild pitch.
 
In the fourth, the Red Storm used three hits and an error to score two more and take a three-run lead. In the bottom half, Ella White hit a solo shot over the wall. The Dawgs trailed, 4-2.
 
St. John's added three runs in the fifth inning and one more in the seventh for the final margin.
 
Gwen Baker (8-3) started in the circle for Butler and took the loss. In 4.0 innings she allowed six runs on six hits and five walks with three strikeouts. Rylyn Dyer (3.0-IP, 2R, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 4K) provided relief in the top of the fifth and finished the game.
 
 
Bulldog Bits

• Ella White's home run in game three was her fifth this season and the 27^th of her career.
• Olivia Moxley's double in game two was her fourth of the season and the eighth of her career.
• Kieli Ryan's double in game two was her first this season and the 11^th of her career.
• Leigh Vande Hei's double in game three was her second this season and the third of her career.
• Hailey Conger's stolen base in game two was her sixth this season and the 12^th of her career.
• Paige Dorsett notched a career-first stolen base in game two.

Up Next
Butler travels to Dayton for a midweek contest on Wednesday, March 26, and then returns to Indianapolis to host Georgetown for a three-game BIG EAST series from Friday through Sunday, March 28-30.