Tournament Information – Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic (Northern Iowa)
DATE:                             Friday, Feb. 6 – Sunday, Feb. 8
LOCATION:                    Cedar Falls, Iowa / UNI-Dome
LIVE STATS:                   StatBroadcast at ButlerSports.com
LIVE VIDEO:                   ESPN+ (select games)
 
The Butler softball team opens the 2026 season this weekend with five games over three days at the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Northern Iowa hosts the event and, in addition to the host, the Bulldogs will face Omaha, Kansas City, and Iowa State.
 
The Bulldogs finished the 2025 season with an 26-22 overall record, going 14-10 in BIG EAST play and qualifying as the fifth seed in their fifth-consecutive BIG EAST Tournament.
 
Bulldog Bits                                                            

• The 2025 Bulldogs rank in the top ten on several of Butler's all-time single season lists, including: 
  2nd- batting average (.305), 2nd- RBI (209), 2nd- SB (84), T2nd- conference wins (14), 3rd- hits (387), 3rd- runs (236), 3rd- walks (160).
• With 22 double plays in 2025, Butler led the BIG EAST and ranked 36th nationally.
• With 84 stolen bases in 2025, Butler led the BIG EAST and ranked 26th nationally.
• Cate Lehner broke Butler single-season records in 2025 with a .438 batting average (1st BIG EAST, 20th nationally), 77 hits (2nd & 27th), and 39 stolen bases (1st & 8th). She tied Butler's single-season record with 42 runs scored.
   
• BIG EAST coaches ranked Butler 6th in the 2026 Preseason Poll. The St. John's Red Storm was voted preseason favorite behind six first place votes and a league-best 62 points. Creighton and UConn followed, in the tie for the second spot, with 51 points each. Villanova (50) ranked fourth, and Providence (32) came in fifth. With 31 points, Butler landed in the sixth spot.
   
• Butler's 2026 schedule includes three teams that qualified for the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs will face Omaha (2/6) and Indiana (4/8) on the road and will host UConn for a BIG EAST series April 10-12.

 
2025 Season Butler Team Leaders (returning)
Cate Lehner- ave. (.438), AB-176, R-42, H-77, SB-39
Hailey Conger- 3B-2
Makenna Alexander- HR-9
Rylyn Dyer- W-8, APP-29, SH-2, SV-4,
Katie Petran- ERA-4.74, GS-18, CG-4, IP-97.1, SO-70


COMPARING OPPONENTS (2025 seasons)
 
Butler (26-22, 14-10 BIG EAST) - season ended in BIG EAST Tournament
Outscored by opponents, 243-236, in 2025. Two of top-5 hitters return.
Team produced a 4.57 ERA along with 3 shutouts. Two of three starting pitchers return.
___________________________
Omaha (40-13, 14-4 Summit) - Season ended in the NCAA regional.
Outscored their opponents, 285-145, in 2025. Three of top-5 hitters return.
Team produced a 2.68 ERA along with 10 shutouts. All four pitchers return.
 
Kansas City (5-43, 1-17 Summit) - Season ended in first round of Summit League Championship.
Outscored by opponents, 394-111, in 2025. Four of top-5 hitters return.
Team produced an 8.38 ERA with 0 shutouts. One of five pitchers returns.
 
Northern Iowa (32-18, 19-8 The Valley) - Season ended in second round of MVC Tournament.
Outscored their opponents, 321-265, in 2025. Three of top-5 hitters return.
Team produced a 4.15 ERA along with 4 shutouts. Four of five pitchers return.
 
Iowa State (31-23, 15-9 Big 12) - Season ended in second round of Big 12 Championship.
Outscored by opponents, 294-263, in 2025. Three of top-5 hitters return.
Team produced a 4.58 ERA along with 5 shutouts. Three of five pitchers return.