The BUCO Bash turned into more than just a name for the Butler softball team's home tournament, as the Grizzlies scored 31 runs and went 3-0 in the event.
Butler defeatd Eastern Oklahoma State by a 12-4 score and Maplewoods (Mo.) 13-3. Both games were called after five innings due to run rule. Butler closed out the event with a 6-1 win over Crowder (Mo.)
With the wins, No. 2-ranked Butler is now 32-2 on the season. It is the fastest a Butler team has ever reached 30 wins in a season. The Grizzlies will return to action on Tuesday with a doubleheader against Labette.
Butler 12, Eastern Oklahoma State 4 (5 innings)
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, Eastern took a 1-0 lead when Vanessa Yamaguchi hit a solo home run in the top of the second off Butler starter Maggie Ham.
Butler responded quickly, tying the game in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI double by Kelsey Berlin. Alyson Bressie, Syd Stuever and Domi O'Nelio also drove in runs in the inning as Butler went ahead 4-1.
The Grizzlies then exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the third, triggered by a two-run home run by Caitlin Coody. After Alyssa Aguilar and Kaitlyn Wolken drove in runs, Ashley Malone crushed a three-run home run to left field that made the score 12-1.
Butler 13, Maplewoods 3 (5 innings)
This time, it was the third inning before the Grizzlies got the bats going. Kaitlyn Wolken got things rolling with an RBI double to left center to score Domi O'Nelio. After Wolken scored on a wild pitch, Butler took the lead on a three-run home run by Ashton Atwell that made it 5-3.
In the fourth inning, Wolken drove in her second run with a sacrifice fly and Atwell hit her second three-run home run of the game, this one to left-center that made the score 9-3. Atwell would go 3-3 in the game with two runs scored and six runs driven in.
As the visiting team on the scoreboard due to pre-game coin flip, Butler got to bat again in the top of the fifth. Alyssa Aguilar drove in two runs with an RBI single, while Erin Boston and Ashley Malone also drove in runs.
Millspaugh earned the win in the circle, making her 11-0 on the season. After a shaky start, she threw three scoreless innings, striking out three to work around four hits and four walks. Kelsey Berlin threw a scoreless inning in relief.
Butler 6, Crowder 1
Butler led from start to finish in this game, riding the hot pitching of Maggie Ham to an undefeated day. Ham struck out 13 Crowder hitters in the game, including seven in a row at one point, without a walk. She gave up five hits in the complete-game victory, with the only run coming on a solo home run by Jessica Neely in the sixth inning.
Butler got one run in the bottom of the first when Syd Stuever walked, stole second and third and came home on an groudout to the pitcher by Kaitlyn Wolken.
