INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler softball team had a dramatic walk-off victory in extra innings of game two in a series with Creighton after dropping an extra-inning game earlier in the day. The Bluejays (19-20, 8-3 BIG EAST) took game one, 8-5, while the Bulldogs (17-11, 9-2 BIG EAST) responded with a 6-5 victory. Butler currently sits atop the BIG EAST standings with Providence and Creighton directly behind in the second and third spots.
Hailey Conger and
Kayla Preiss each had four hits on the day, and the pair combined for seven RBIs. Conger hit the bases-loaded walk-off single in the eighth inning of game two.
Game 1: Creighton 8, Butler 5 (8 innings)
Butler scored a pair of runs in the first inning on back-to-back doubles from
Makena Alexander and Preiss. Three batters later,
Kieli Ryan singled to drive home Preiss.
Creighton got one back in the second and then took the lead, 4-3, using two hits and an error in the third.
The Bulldogs tied the game at four in the fifth inning when Preiss knocked in Conger with her second double of the game. The Bluejays then took the lead back, 5-4, scoring a single run in the sixth.
Down a run with two outs in the seventh, Butler rallied. After a Conger single and an Alexander walk, Preiss singled to send Conger home and tie the game at five.
In the top of the eighth, Creighton hit a two-run home run followed by a solo home run to provide a three-run margin. In the bottom half, the Dawgs threatened with runners on second and third and only one out, but two infield outs gave the game to the Bluejays.
Katie Petran (7-4) pitched a complete game and took the loss. In 8.0 innings, she allowed eight runs (six earned) on eight hits and three walks with three strikeouts.
Game 2: Butler 6, Creighton 5 (8 innings)
Creighton used a sacrifice fly to score one in the top of the first inning, but Butler answered with three in the bottom half. With the bases loaded,
Olivia Robards singled to plate one.
Alona Boydston then hit a sacrifice fly, and Ryan singled, allowing Preiss to score. It was 3-1 Bulldogs after one complete.
In the second, the Bluejays cut the deficit to one run using two hits and an error.
Butler pushed its lead to 5-2 with a pair of runs in the fourth. With the bases loaded,
Olivia Roberts crossed on a wild pitch. Then,
Paxton Law tagged and scored on a caught foul ball in deep right field.
The Dawgs held the three-run lead into the sixth. Creighton used two hits, including a two-RBI triple, along with a pair of walks to tie the game at five. With no scoring in the seventh, the game went to extras.
In the bottom of the eighth, Butler loaded the bases with just one out. The Dawgs attempted to score on a bunt, but the Bluejays got the force at home. One batter later, Conger singled to left center, pushing Roberts across for the winning run.
Rylyn Dyer (5.0-IP, 5R, 4ER, 10H, 2BB, K) started in the circle for Butler and pitched into the sixth inning.
Alyx Johnson (4-0) provided relief and picked up the win. In 3.0 innings, she kept Creighton scoreless, allowing only one hit with one walk.
Bulldog Bits
- With two doubles in game one, Preiss now has six this season.
- Alexander's double in game one was her eighth this season and the 20th of her career.
- Paxton Law's double in game one was her third this season.
- Johnson's win in the circle was her fourth this season. She has no losses in 12 total appearances.
Up Next
Butler and Creighton will play the rubber match of the series tomorrow, Friday, April 3. First pitch is currently scheduled for 12 p.m.
