The Butler softball team got their season started this past weekend in the San Antonio Tournament that featured some of the top teams in the NJCAA.
The Grizzlies finished 3-1 on the weekend with two wins over San Jacinto-South (TX), who has two wins over Chipola who currently ranks No. 2 in the NCJAA. Butler won 12-3 and 7-6 over the Coyotes Friday afternoon. ON Saturday, the Grizzlies finished with a split defeating Coastal Bend 7-6 and fell to Trinity Valley 7-3, suffering their first loss of the season.
"I was pleased with how we played this weekend", said head coach Doug Chance in his 17th season. "As expected, our pitchers command is not where it needs to be yet but that, as always, will improve with more time outside. I was pleasantly surprised with our hitting for no more live at bats than we have had. However, just like the pitching, I expect that to improve vastly as we get more reps outside."
The Butler bats didn't take long to get going this weekend as they scored 12 runs in the first game of the year in a 5-inning run rule over San Jacinto. On the weekend, the Grizzlies hit .318 as a team with 34 total hits, nine doubles, two triples and four homeruns.
Shayna Espy, who returned this season as a COVID sophomore, put up some good numbers throughout the weekend. She went 6-10 on the weekend with two doubles, a triple and six runs scored. She added in three stolen bases and 12 put outs from her centerfield position.
Ari Cordova, sophomore transfer went 5-15 on the weekend with seven RBI's and a homerun. Brooke McCorkle also batted in seven runs in her four games played with two homeruns. Madi Young went 7-14 with four doubles and three stolen bases.
Izzy Erickson saw her first collegiate action this weekend and picked up three wins, a save as well as suffered her first loss as a Grizzly.
Erickson pitched 14.1 innings allowing just seven earned runs off 16 hits. She walked only two and struck out six. Hannah Knox pitched 8.2 innings allowing seven runs and 12 hits.
The Butler middle infield was busy all weekend long with Madi Young and Emily Adler posting a 1.000 fielding percentage totaling 22 assists and nine put outs.
The Grizzlies will head to Denison, Texas next weekend for another four game Texas stint. They will face No. 4 ranked Tyler Junior College on Friday to open the tournament. They will also play Murray State (OK), North Central Texas College and Weatherford College.