A St. John’s runner gets tagged at home. Photo by Jimmy Lafakis.

JIMMY LAFAKIS | STAFF REPORTER | jlafakis@butler.edu

The Butler University softball team lost 8-2 to No. 25 University of Illinois on April 19 on the road. The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 17-24 on the season.

The Illini improved to 32-10 after their win in Urbana. The Bulldogs’ two runs came off a homerun from freshman infielder Kennedy Minko. It was Minko’s third home run of the season.

Senior outfielder Brandyce Sallee smacked two hits for Butler. Freshman utility player Madi Christiansen, junior infielder/outfielder Sarah Dixon, junior infielder Alyssa Lach and senior infielder Audrey Hiner also added hits. 

“We had a lot of good at-bats,” sophomore outfielder Jenna Foreman said. “We adjusted a lot better than we did last weekend. We never gave up.”

Sophomore infielder/pitcher Kaitlin Doud got the start in the circle for Butler. Freshman pitcher Gabbi Schnaiter came in relief for Doud.

The Bulldogs will continue Big East Conference play at Creighton University April 21. First pitch for Saturday’s game in Omaha is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.