INDIANAPOLIS – In the final regular-season game of the year, the Butler softball team handed Providence a 4-1 loss and clinched the series, 2-1. It was the Friar's first and only series defeat of the season. Providence (29-18, 18-6 BIG EAST) was down but tied the game at one in the top of the fourth. The Bulldogs (24-19, 15-9 BIG EAST) responded with the go-ahead run in the bottom half and then added two more in the fifth to secure the victory.
Butler finished the conference portion of the schedule in fourth place with a record of 15-9. Providence and UConn both finished 18-6 to share the regular-season title, while Creighton finished third at 17-7. The Friars earned the No. 1 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament based on a tiebreaker.
After two scoreless innings, Butler put one on the board in the third when
Hailey Conger drew a bases-loaded walk.
Providence responded in the fourth, tying the game with an RBI single and forcing a Butler pitching change. In the bottom half, the Bulldogs retook a one-run lead.
Kieli Ryan doubled and was replaced at second by
Rachel Hunt.
Alona Boydston laid down a sacrifice bunt to get Hunt to third, and
Kayla Preiss knocked her in with an infield single to third base.
In the fifth, with Conger on first,
Makena Alexander hit a home run over the center field fence, pushing Butler's lead to 4-1.
Alyx Johnson (3.2-IP, R, 5H, 3BB, 2K) started in the circle for Butler and lasted into the fourth.
Kate Murray (3-3) provided relief, finished the game, and picked up the win. In 3.1 innings she kept Providence off the board, allowing just two hits and one walk with three strikeouts.
Bulldog Bits
- Alexander's home run was her 14th this season and the 26th of her career. It also tied Butler's single-season record (Monique Hoosen, 2023).
- Ryan's double was her eighth this season and the 21st of her career.
- Murray's win in the circle was her third this season.
Up Next
Butler will head to the BIG EAST Tournament, joining Providence, UConn, and Creighton in Rosemont, Ill., from Thursday-Saturday, May 7-9. The No. 4 seed Bulldogs and No. 1 seed Friars will meet in game one on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET (12 p.m. CT).
