VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Butler softball team responded to a loss earlier in the day at the BIG EAST Tournament with an offensive explosion that led to a 13-10 win over Villanova. The No. 3 seed Wildcats scored four runs in the first inning and led 5-3 after three complete, but the No. 5 seed Bulldogs scored 10 runs in their final three innings and held off Villanova in the elimination game.
 
Consolation: No. 5 seed Butler 13, No. 3 seed Villanova 10 (7 innings)
 
Villanova scored four in the top of the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run that was in and out of the glove of Butler center fielder Hailey Conger just over the wall.
 
In the bottom of the first, Cate Lehner and Conger reached second and third after a single and a double. A subsequent single from Ella White brought both home to cut the Wildcats' lead to 4-2.
 
Two innings later, Villanova used a sacrifice fly to add a run. In the bottom half, a double by White allowed Lehner to score. The Bulldogs still trailed, 5-3.
 
Butler loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth, and then the offense exploded. Eight runs were scored on a Conger triple, a White home run, a Makena Alexander double, an Olivia Moxley single, and a Kieli Ryan single. The Dawgs led for the first time in the game, 11-5.
 
In the top of the fifth, Nova's Brooklyn Ostrowski hit her second three-run home run of the game. One inning later, the Wildcats put two more across, but three key strikeouts ended the threat. Butler clung to a one-run, 11-10, lead.
 
Butler loaded the bases again, in the sixth, and an infield chopper by Lehner allowed two more runners to score.
 
Rylyn Dyer (8-8) started in the circle for Butler, lasted into the fifth, and earned the win. In 4.2 innings, she allowed eight runs on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Katie Petran (2.1 IP, 2R, 1ER, 5H, 5K) provided relief and picked up a save.
 
Bulldog Bits

• With five hits in the game, Cate Lehner became one of only three Bulldogs to have accomplished the feat. She joins Lauren Fey (2019) and Jenny Jacobs (2008).
• Ella White's home run was her sixth this season and the 28^th of her career. Her double was her ninth of the season and the 43^rd of her career.
• Hailey Conger's triple was her second this season and the third of her career. Her double was her eighth this season and the 13^th of her career.
• Makena Alexander's double was her 9^th this season and the 12^th of her career.
• Rylyn Dyer's win was her eighth this season and the 14^th of her career.
• Katie Petran's save was her third of the season and the sixth of her career.

Up Next
With the win, Butler will now play on Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m. The opponent could be UConn, Creighton, or Providence, depending on the results of the first two games of the day. The Bulldogs will play the lower seed of the two teams that lose.