ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Butler softball team dropped games to both UConn and Creighton during semifinal contests in the BIG EAST Tournament, losing 12-1 to the Huskies and 9-0 to the Bluejays. The losses eliminate the Bulldogs from contention in postseason play.
Hailey Conger had three hits on the day for the Bulldogs.
No. 2 seed UConn 12, No. 4 seed Butler 1 (6 innings)
Butler loaded the bases in the bottom of the first but could not push anyone across.
In the top of the fourth, UConn loaded the bases with nobody out. The first run came in on a hit-by-pitch batter. A single up the middle plated two more, forcing the Bulldogs to make a pitching change. A bunt single then allowed one more to score, and a sacrifice fly gave the Huskies a 5-0 lead.
In the fifth, a two-run home run by Emma Willers added to the lead, and one inning later, with the bases loaded, Willers put a second ball over the right-field fence to push the lead to 11-0. The final UConn run came on a double to left-center field.
In the final frame for Butler,
Emily Todor hit a sacrifice fly allowing
Hailey Conger to score from third.
Rylyn Dyer (4-5) started in the circle for Butler, lasted into the fourth, and took the loss. In 3.0 innings, she allowed five runs on five hits and three walks with one strikeout.
Katie Petran (2.2-IP, 7R, 2ER, 4H, 3BB) provided relief from the fourth into the sixth inning, and
Kate Murray faced the final batter.
No. 3 seed Creighton 9, No. 4 seed Butler 0 (6 innings)
Creighton used a walk and two doubles to score two in the first inning. In the fourth, three singles and a double brought in three more, forcing a Butler pitching change. The Bluejays' 5-0 lead held through the fifth.
In the sixth, Creighton scored one on a squeeze play and then ended the game early with a three-run home run.
Alyx Johnson (5-2) started in the circle for Butler, lasted into the fourth, and took the loss. In 3.2 innings, she allowed five runs on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts.
Maren Berger (2.0-IP, 4R, 4H, K) provided relief and finished the game.
Bulldog Bits
- Kieli Ryan's double vs. Creighton was her ninth this season and the 22nd of her career.
