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TOWANDA, Kan. – Butler softball's sophomore day will always be memorable for the 2024 squad.
The Grizzlies (44-8, 30-2) were forced to play their final home games of the 2024 season at Circle High School due to standing water at East Park, but were unfazed as they closed the regular season out winning two games over Seward (25-21, 19-13) to claim the KJCCC championship, Butler's 14th in the last 17 seasons. The conference title is the first for head coach Morgan Bohanan as the Grizzlies came in second a season ago, although they went on to win the region tournament as well as the district championship to advance to the NJCAA World Series.
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— Butler Grizzlies (@ButlerGrizzlies) April 29, 2024
The �������������������� KJCCC champs, @BUCOSoftball ��#BucoNation | #RoarGrizz�� pic.twitter.com/BERHRZh6Mm
Following the wins, Butler celebrated with the championship plaque on the field and proceeded to honor eight sophomores (Aly Hageman, Cheyenne Handsaker, Cady Dickey, JaKeyla McDaniel, Alyssa Mude, Kaylah Newman, Lena Walter and Mallory Young) with an on-field ceremony.
"We had 14 freshmen this year, so these sophomores had to come in and really take the freshmen under their wing and teach them the Butler way and they did just that," said Bohanan. "I don't think I could have asked for a better group of sophomores."
The Grizzlies dispatched Seward 11-1 in five innings in game one, scoring multiple runs in all four innings they came to the plate.
Handsaker (W, 18-4) got the start in game one and tossed 4.0 innings allowing a lone run, striking out eight and walking none. Mude threw a scoreless fifth to close things out.
Chloe Cardona and Madison Montgomery each homered in the game. Cardona led Butler with three runs driven in. Kyrsten Moran, Dickey, Hageman, and McDaniel each turned in multi-hit games.
The Saints made game two a bit closer but with Butler leading 4-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Grizzlies scored three runs to take a 7-2 lead and essentially put the game away.
Walter got her first start of the year in game two, hurling a season-high 6.0 innings allowing just two runs, striking out five.
Dickey's three RBI led Butler as she went 2-4 at the plate. Hageman was the other Grizzly to register multiple hits finishing 2-3.
Next up for the Grizzlies is the Region VI tournament at Legends Park in Dodge City where they will be the No. 1 seed. Butler opens the tournament on Friday with a noon matchup with eight seed Pratt. The double-elimination tournament runs from Friday through Monday and the winner gets a direct bid to the NJCAA World Series that is held in Oxford, AL.
SOPHOMORES��
— Butler Grizzlies (@ButlerGrizzlies) April 30, 2024
Thank you to this special group of sophomores for everything you've brought to #BucoNation ����
Full Gallery: https://t.co/MOPiKeZXOY#RoarGrizz�� pic.twitter.com/OVthhkP0BL
