A late-inning rally in the first game led to a run-rule win in the second game as Butler swept a doubleheader from Friends JV in the 2016 home opener on a cold, blustery afternoon at East Park.

Butler won the first game, 4-3, then earned an 11-3 win in the second game.

With the wins, Butler runs its winning streak to nine games and improved its record to 15-3 on the season. The Grizzlies will not play again until Thursday, March 3 at Barton in the Jayhawk Conference opener. Butler was to have played at Hutchinson on Thursday, but the doubleheader was cancelled.

Game 1 - Butler 4, Friends JV 3

Butler scored first when Alexis Clinton doubled and scored on an RBI single by Becca Schulte in the bottom of the first inning.

With one swing of the bat, Friends took a 3-1 lead on a three-run homer to right off Butler pitcher Regan Mergele in the top of the third.

Butler finally battled back in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Morgan Bohanan singled to right to drive in Mikayla Waggoner and Alexis Clinton.

Moments later, the Grizzlies executed a double steal and Megan Wurts crossed the plate with what would proved to be the game-winning run.

Regan Mergele earned the win for Butler. She struck out 11 batters and retired the final 14 she faced. She is now 8-2 on the season.

Butler 11, Friends 3 (6 innings)

Butler broke out the bats, starting with a two-run double by Brynn Minor in the bottom of the first. She would go 3-for-3 at the plate with a team-high four RBI.

Mikayla Waggoner hit a two-run home run as part of a five-run fourth inning for Butler. She went 2-for-3 with three RBI.

Starter Jennifer Hittinger pitched the first four innings, allowing three runs and earning the win. She is now 5-1 on the year. Brynn Minor came on in relief and threw two scoreless innings for Butler.