OMAHA, Neb. – The Butler softball team rallied to take a late lead but ultimately conceded game two of the three-game BIG EAST series with Creighton. The Bulldogs (21-17, 10-7 BIG EAST) were down four, but a seven total runs in the fourth and sixth innings gave the visitors a temporary, 7-4, lead. The Bluejays (17-20, 7-7 BIG EAST) produced six runs in the bottom of the sixth and held on to clinch the series with a 10-7 win.
Game 2: Creighton 10, Butler 7 (7 innings)
Creighton used six walks, a hit-by-pitch batter, and one single to score three runs in the first two innings.
In the third, the Bluejays hit a solo home run, expanding the lead to 4-0.
Butler rallied in the fourth inning. After a pair of walks,
Sydney Carter singled in the first run. One batter later,
Kieli Ryan hit a double that pushed the second run across. An infield single from
Cate Lehner then allowed Carter to cross, and a bases-loaded walk, drawn by
Ella White, tied the game at 4-4.
In the sixth, Lehner and
Hailey Conger each reached base and were advanced by a White sacrifice bunt. A second sacrifice bunt from
Paige Dorsett gave the Dawgs a one-run lead, and a
Makena Alexander two-run home run extended the lead to 7-4.
In the bottom of the sixth, Creighton scored two runs to draw to within one run. Then, with two outs, the Bluejays hit a grand slam home run and retook the lead, 10-7.
Butler loaded the bases with no outs in seventh, but a force at home, a strikeout, and a deep flyout to right field ended the game.
Gwen Baker (1.2 IP, 3R, 1H, 5BB) started in the circle for Butler but was knocked out early.
Rylyn Dyer (6-5) entered in the second inning, lasted into the sixth, and took the loss. In 3.2 innings, she allowed five runs on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
Katie Petran (0.2 IP, 2R, 1H, 2BB) entered in the bottom of the sixth with the Dawgs up, 7-6, and with one out and two runners in scoring position. She finished the inning and game.
Bulldog Bits
- Makena Alexander's home run was her ninth this season and the twelfth of her career.
- Alexander's double was her seventh this season and the tenth of her career.
- Kieli Ryan's double was her second of the season and the 12th of her career.
Up Next
Butler remains in Omaha for the third and final game of the series with Creighton on Sunday, Apr. 13.
