NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Butler softball team dropped game one at Lipscomb in five innings but then responded by scoring in extras to defeat the Bisons in game two, splitting a doubleheader that was part of the Cathi Maynard Invitational hosted by Austin Peay. Lipscomb (6-16) used a nine-run second inning on its way to a shortened game one, winning by the final score of 11-3. The Bulldogs (7-9) never trailed in the follow-up contest, scoring on a single in the eighth inning to pull out the victory, 6-5.
Olivia Robards was 6-for-8 on the day with five doubles.
Makena Alexander had a home run in game one and also hit the go-ahead run in the final inning of game two.
Game 1: Lipscomb 11, Butler 3 (5 innings)
In the first inning, with
Kayla Preiss on first base, Alexander sent a ball over the right field wall. The Dawgs were up early, 2-0.
One inning later, Lipscomb erupted for nine runs on eight hits, two walks, and an error.
In the fourth, the Bisons added two more runs on three hits and an error. The lead was 11-2.
Butler tacked on one final run in the fifth when Robards hit her third double of the game, pushing Alexander across.
Maren Berger (0-2) started in the circle for Butler and took the loss. After being relieved in the second, she re-entered to pitch the fourth and final defensive inning. In 2.1 total innings, she allowed ten runs (nine earned) on nine hits and three walks.
Rylyn Dyer (1.2-IP, 1R, 0ER, 2H, 3BB, K) provided relief in the second inning and faced 10 total batters through the third inning.
Game 2: Butler 6, Lipscomb 5 (8 innings)
In the second inning, Butler used doubles by Robards and
Hailey Conger, along with an RBI-single from
Kendall Graves, to build a 4-0 lead.
Lipscomb got one back in the third on a sacrifice fly.
In the fifth, with runners on the corners, a
Kieli Ryan single allowed
Rachel Hunt to score. Butler was back to a four-run lead, 5-1.
The Bisons loaded the bases with just one out in the sixth. A sacrifice fly and two infield hits reduced Butler's lead to only one run with one inning to play.
In the bottom of the seventh, with a runner on second, Lipscomb tied the game with a single.
Butler put runners on first and second with two outs in the top of the eighth. Alexander hit a single that put the Dawgs in front once again, 6-5. The Bisons were unable to get a runner on base in their final at bat.
Kate Murray (6.0-IP, 5R, 11H, BB, K) started in the circle for Butler and lasted one batter into the seventh.
Alyx Johnson (2-0) entered in the seventh, finished the game, and picked up her second win of the season. In 2.0 innings, she faced seven batters and allowed only one hit.
Bulldog Bits
- Alexander's home run in game one was her fifth this season and the 17th of her career.
- With three doubles in game one and two more in game two, Robards now has seven this season and 18 in her career.
- With a pair of doubles in game two, Conger has six this season and 19 for her career.
- Johnson picked up her second win of the season in game two.
Up Next
Butler travels to Indiana State on Tuesday, March 10, for a game postponed earlier in the season. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Next weekend, the Bulldogs begin BIG EAST competition with a three-game series on the road at Villanova.
