QUEENS, N.Y. – The Butler softball team and St. John's each took one game of a BIG EAST series-opening doubleheader on Friday. The Bulldogs (15-10, 7-1 BIG EAST) took game one, 3-2, but the Red Storm (23-11, 4-4 BIG EAST) responded and handed Butler its first conference loss of the season with a 4-1 victory in game two.
Game 1: Butler 3, St. John's 2 (7 innings)
After three scoreless innings, Butler got on the board in the fourth when
Rachel Hunt stole home during a rundown.
In the fifth inning, with runners on first and second,
Makena Alexander hit a 2-RBI single. The Bulldogs' lead grew to 3-0. In the bottom half, the Red Storm loaded the bases. A single from Ana Serafinko plated two, but the Dawgs ended the inning, one batter later, with a double play.
Katie Petran (6-3) picked up a complete-game victory in the circle. In 7.0 innings, she allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and three walks with one strikeout.
Game 2: St. John's 4, Butler 1 (7 innings)
St. John's used three singles to score two runs in the third inning.
Butler got one back in the top of the fifth when
Kayla Preiss singled with
Cate Lehner on third. In the bottom half, with a runner on first, Elanna Lysiak homered to give the Red Storm a 4-1 lead and force a Butler pitching change.
Rylyn Dyer (3-2) started in the circle for Butler, lasted into the fifth inning, and took the loss. In 4.0 innings, she allowed four runs on eight hits and one walk, striking out one.
Maren Berger (2.0-IP, 2H, BB, 2K) provided relief in the fifth and finished the game.
Bulldog Bits
- Lehner had three stolen bases on the day. She now has 21 this season and 103 in her career.
- Petran's win in game one was her fourth complete-game victory this season. It was her sixth win of the season and the 28th win of her career.
Up Next
Butler remains in Queens, N.Y., for the rubber match with St. John's on Sunday at 12 p.m.
