INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler softball team came from behind to win game one of a BIG EAST series with Villanova by the final score of 3-2. The Wildcats (22-19-1, 11-5 BIG EAST) scored one run in the first inning and held the lead through four complete. The Bulldogs (22-18, 11-8 BIG EAST) tied the game in the bottom of the fifth and took the lead for good in the sixth.
Game 1: Butler 3, Villanova 2 (7 innings)
Villanova used two hits and an error to score one in the top of the first inning, stranding a pair.
In the fifth,
Leigh Vande Hei reached on an error and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.
Ella White then hit a grounder up the middle for the game-tying RBI.
One inning later,
Makena Alexander led off with a double and pinch runner
Olivia Roberts advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt.
Sydney Carter hit a single to left, allowing Roberts to score, and
Kieli Ryan then reached on an error. With runners on first and second,
Cate Lehner hit a hard single off the glove of the third baseman. The ball ricocheted into left field, and Carter scored from second. The Dawgs were up, 3-1.
In the top of the seventh, back-to-back singles by the Wildcats put runners on first and third with no outs. One batter later, Butler turned a double play, but Villanova put one across and cut the lead to one.
Gwen Baker retired the side with a strikeout to end the game.
Baker (11-5) secured a complete-game victory in the circle. In 7.0 innings, she allowed two runs on eight hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.
Bulldog Bits
- Gwen Baker's win was her 11th this season and her fifth complete-game victory.
- Makena Alexander's double was her eighth this season and the 11th of her career.
Up Next
Butler and Villanova will play games two and three as a doubleheader on Friday, April 18, beginning at 2 p.m.
