The Butler softball team extended their winning streak to 46-games after a 12-4 run-rule victory over Three Rivers (MO) Wednesday night in Yuma, Arizona.
The Grizzlies fell behind early in the first as Three Rivers was able to plate two runs in their first at bat. Butler was unable to produce in the bottom half of the first but came alive in the second plating six runs to take a 6-2 lead.
An error allowed the first run to come across then RBI's from Mayah Johnson, Madi Young, Emily Adler and two from Ari Cordova finished out the strong offensive inning for the Grizzlies.
Three Rivers scored one in the third and one in the fifth but couldn't keep pace with the Butler bats. The Grizzlies scored two in the fourth with RBI's from Shayna Espy and Emily Adler. Butler would then walk it off for the second straight game after scoring four in the bottom of the fifth with win by run rule. The Grizzlies scored two off an error then an RBI single by Sydney Adler set up the walk off opportunity with the Grizzlies lead at seven. Emily Adler then drove home her twin sister Sydney Adler off a single to right field for the final run needed to win.
Maddie Redman picked up her 26th win of the season after she threw three complete innings, allowing three runs (all earned) on six hits with two strikeouts. Izzy Erickson came in relief and threw two innings allowing one run on two hits striking out three batters and not giving up a walk.
Madi Young was 2 for 2 with an RBI, two walks and scored two runs in the contest. Sydney Adler went 2 for 2 with an RBI and she came in to score 3 times. Ari Cordova finished 2 for 3 with a two RBI double. Emily Adler drove in three runs in the game off her two hits. Shayna Espy also recorded two hits in the game with an RBI and a run scored.
This is the furthest Butler has advanced in the NJCAA Div. I Softball National Tournament since 2018 where they placed 3rd. 12 is the most runs scored in a national tournament game since 2017 where they scored 15 on Howard College in a second-round victory
NEXT UP: No. 2 Butler (51-2) will face No. 3 Florida Southwestern (46-4) in the semifinal round of the National Tournament on Thursday, May 27 at 2:00pm CT. Florida Southwestern is coming off a high scoring game against Seminole State (OK) where they walked it off 14-13. The last times these two teams met was in the national tournament in 2018 where the Grizzlies defeated the Bucs 4-2 in the quarterfinal round. One of the most memorable games between the two teams came during the 2016 season in the second round of the national tournament where Butler won 5-4 in a 15-inning game against the Bucs. That win helped propel the Grizzlies to their first National Championship.
