VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Butler softball team came from behind to defeat Villanova in ten innings, completing the series sweep with a 12-9 game-three victory. The Wildcats (5-22, 2-4 BIG EAST) held a 5-0 lead after two innings and a 9-6 lead after six. The Bulldogs (10-9, 3-0 BIG EAST) scored three runs in the seventh to extend the game and then produced three in the tenth to secure the win.
Makena Alexander led Butler at the plate, going four-for-five with two doubles, a home run, and six RBIs. Her three-run home run in the tenth inning provided the winning margin.
After a scoreless first inning, Villanova used four hits and an error to score five runs in the second.
One inning later, Butler loaded the bases with one out.
Kayla Preiss put the ball in play, and
Paxton Law was able to cross and get the Dawgs on the board. One batter later, Alexander doubled to shallow right field and two more came across. The deficit was now two.
In the fourth, a Law single allowed
Kieli Ryan to score from second. The gap was now just one. In the bottom half, with two runners on, a Villanova double pushed its lead back to two, at 6-4.
After Preiss led off the fifth with a double, Alexander singled to allow her to score. Later, with
Rachel Hunt on third, Ryan doubled to push Hunt home and tie the game at six.
Villanova loaded the bases in the sixth and drew a walk to retake the lead. One batter later, a two-RBI single extended the lead to 9-6.
Butler needed three in the top of seventh, and the Dawgs delivered. Preiss singled and Alexander doubled to put runners on second and third.
Olivia Robards put the ball in play, allowing Preiss to score. Then, with two outs, Ryan doubled to send Alexander across, and with the game on the line,
Erin Clark singled in the game-tying run. A Butler double play in the bottom half was key to sending the game to extra innings.
In the bottom of the ninth, Villanova loaded the bases with only one out.
Katie Petran produced a strike out and an infield fly to end the threat.
In the tenth, after bunt singles from
Cate Lehner and
Hailey Conger, Alexander sent one over the right field wall. The Dawgs retook the lead, 12-9. Petran retired the side in the Wildcats' final at bat.
Kate Murray (1.1-IP, 5R, 4ER, 5H, 3BB, K) started in the circle for Butler and lasted into the second inning.
Maren Berger (4.2-IP, 4R, 6H, 4BB, K) provided relief and pitched through the seventh. Petran (4-3) entered at the top of the eighth, finished the game, and picked up the win. In 3.0 innings, she allowed only three hits and struck out a pair.
Bulldog Bits
- Alexander's home run was her third in the past two games. She now has eight this season and 20 in her career. Her pair of doubles gives her five this season and 17 in her career.
- Ryan's two doubles give her six this season and 19 in her career.
- The double by Preiss was her second in as many games and her third this season.
- Petran's win in the circle was her fourth this season and the 26th of her career.
- This was Butler's second series sweep over Villanova. The first came in 2017.
Up Next
Due to the forecast of cold weather, Butler's game vs. Ohio State at Earlham College on Tuesday, March 17, has been canceled. Next on the schedule, the Bulldogs will host Seton Hall in a BIG EAST series from Friday through Sunday, March 20-22.
