Butler Softball goes 1-2 this weekend in Denison, Texas

Story by Wyatt Ebersole 

The Butler Softball team went 1-2 against stiff competition at the THF Winter Blast down in Denison, Texas this past weekend. The Grizzlies are now 2-4 this season after their two Texas tournaments.

Murray State Game Recap

The Grizzlies dropped an initially competitive opening game against Division 2, #2 ranked Murray State (OK) on Friday afternoon. However, the game ended in a bizarre sort of way as a heavy rain and sleet storm rolled into the era and caused the game to be delayed in the fifth inning with Murray State leading 10-5. The game was resumed on Saturday where the Grizzlies ultimately fell 13-5 to the Aggies.

The Grizzly pitching staff struggled to find the zone in the game as they issued 15 walks, including six with the bases loaded. The Grizzlies and Aggies both had 7 hits in the game, but it was the abundance of walks issued that did the Grizzlies in.

Tyler Junior College Game Recap

The Butler Softball team was slated to clash with the Tyler Junior College Apaches Friday evening, but the cold weather that delayed the Murray State game caused this game to be cancelled and it will not be rescheduled. 

Paris Junior College Game Recap

The Grizzlies nearly slayed the Dragons of Paris Junior College in their first full game of the day on Saturday, but ultimately fell 6-5 in eight innings to the #16 ranked Dragons. Emma Koeneke had her best performance of the season allowing just two earned runs while striking out three in her complete, 8-inning performance. The Grizzlies managed to find some magic in the hat in the bottom of the seventh inning when Briona Woods drove in JaKeyla McDaniel with an RBI single that tied the game up a five runs a piece that sent the game to extra innings, but the Grizzlies would ultimately fall in extras to Paris.  

Weatherford College Game Recap

Butler Softball picked up their lone win of the weekend in their final game of the tournament on Saturday night when they defeated the Weatherford Coyotes 3-1. It was a pitching duel through the first five innings, but two runs in the bottom of the sixth were the difference as Allyson Montgomery shut down the Coyotes in the top of the seventh to secure the win. Montgomery was dominant in the Grizzlies win, allowing just one run on five hits and striking out six batters. The win broke a four game losing streak for the Grizzlies and gives them some momentum heading into a short break.

The Grizzlies will get two weeks off and then will travel to Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri to wrangle with the Roughriders at 1 and 3PM.