Butler softball run-rules Southeast in home doubleheader
The Butler softball team stayed undefeated at home with a run-rule doubleheader sweep over Southeast (Neb.) on Monday at East Park.
Butler improved to 4-0 at home by defeating Southeast 10-1 in five innings, then no-hitting the Storm 8-0 in the second contest. The Grizzlies have now won 11 straight contests, with eight of them coming via run-rule.
Butler (15-10 overall, 4-2 Jayhawk West) hits the road for four straight conference games, beginning with a Tuesday 2 p.m. doubleheader at Dodge City. The Grizzlies then travel to Barton on Thursday for two games, beginning at 2 p.m.
Game 1 – Butler 10, Southeast 1 (5 innings)
Butler scored in every inning of the contest, beginning with three runs each in the first two innings.
With one out in the first, Megan Wurts singled to right, then stole second and third. Morgan Heckart singled up the middle to score Wurts, then Heckart scored on a Monica Islava RBI triple to center. Islava scored Butler's third run on an Ally Knopp sacrifice fly.
Wurts began the scoring in the second with a two-run single to bring in Haylee Lorenz and Karlie Peck. Heckart followed with a sacrifice fly to score Wurts.
Knopp led off the third with a solo home run to left field. Lorenz added a three-run double with two outs in the fourth to put Butler up 10-1.
Wurts, Lorenz and Gracie Bogle each had two hits, while Wurts and Islava scored two runs. Lorenz led the Grizzlies with three RBI, while Wurts, Heckart and Knopp had two RBIs each.
Jenny Hittinger earned the win, despite only pitching three innings. The freshman righty gave up one run on two hits and struck out seven. Bogle came in relief for two scoreless innings and allowed just one walk.
Game 2 – Butler 8, Southeast 0 (5 innings)
Freshman pitchers Kaelah McMullin and Gracie Bogle combined to no-hit the Storm in the second contest.
Identical to the first game, Butler scored three runs in the opening inning. Aujanae McCoy scored the first run, stealing third and scoring on a throwing error after Islava struck out. Knopp followed with her second home run of the day – a two-run blast to left field to give the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead.
Butler added another run in the third when Bogle's single to center field scored Islava.
The Grizzlies continued to pile up the runs in the fourth, beginning with an RBI sacrifice by Wurts to score Jill Shipman from third. Heckart followed with an RBI double to left to bring in McCoy. Islava capped the scoring with a two-run home run – her seventh of the season – to center field.
McMullin, who tossed the first four innings, matched her career-high with 10 strikeouts – including eight of the last 10 batters. Bogle came on in relief in the fifth and walked two batters, but a sacrifice bunt and a line-drive double play to Islava ended the contest.
McCoy, Heckart and Islava each scored two runs in the contest. McCoy and Islava also had two hits each.
