The Butler softball team takes the field before a game. Butler started the weekend with a win before losing their final three games. Collegian file photo.
CHRIS BROWN | STAFF REPORTER | cbbrown@butler.edu
The Butler University softball team went 1-3 in a five-game weekend invitational hosted by Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, from Feb. 16-18. The Bulldogs are now 2-7 on the season.
Butler had to leave the invitational due to a flight time, and the fifth game of the weekend was declared a no contest.
After going 1-5 to begin the season, the Bulldogs started the weekend on a high note, defeating the University of Iowa 4-0. Freshman pitcher Alyssa Graves tossed a complete game shutout for her first collegiate win, allowing just three hits and walking one while striking out seven.
First pitch is less than an hour away. Here’s the line-up for the game with Iowa… pic.twitter.com/udU7vC2SQD
— Butler Softball (@ButlerSoftball) February 16, 2018
A three-run home run from junior infielder/pitcher Kaitlin Doud highlighted a four-run first inning for Butler. Junior outfielder Jenna Foreman had two hits in the contest.
Butler then dropped its second game of the weekend, falling to No. 6 Texas A&M University 10-1 in five innings.
The Bulldog’s lone run came in the first inning on an RBI single from junior catcher Sammy Andersen. The Aggies scored three runs in the first inning, four in the second, and three in the fourth for the victory. Sophomore pitcher Gabbi Schnaiter took the loss for Butler, surrendering seven earned runs in three innings.
The team was unable to get things turned around on Saturday, falling to Iowa 8-0 and the University of Tulsa 2-1.
Against Iowa, Doud took the loss for Butler, giving up three earned runs in five innings. Five Butler errors contributed to five unearned runs being charged against Doud. The Bulldogs had just three hits in the game.
Butler limited Tulsa to just two runs in the second game, but wasn’t able to get their offense going. Graves took the loss, allowing just two earned runs while striking out four over seven innings. Butler’s lone run came in the bottom of the first inning on a two-out RBI single from senior third baseman Alyssa Lach.
Foreman, senior outfielder Sarah Dixon, and freshman shortstop Maddie Moore each had two hits for Butler.
Butler raced off to an early lead over Texas A&M in their final game of the weekend, which started more than half an hour behind schedule. The Bulldogs batted around in a nine-run first inning against the Aggies, who responded with six runs of their own in the bottom of the inning.
With the Dawgs leading 9-6 in the bottom of the 3rd against #6 A&M, the game was called due to a drop dead time limit due to flight time for BU. Great effort out of the Dawgs to close out the tournament! #ONEbusb
— Butler Softball (@ButlerSoftball) February 18, 2018
The score remained 9-6 until the bottom of the third inning, when the game was called due to a time limit.
The Bulldogs will have the next few weeks off from play before returning to action March 2-4 at a five-game event in Nashville, Tennessee.
Follow Chris on Twitter: @cbrownsports
