Grizzlies Split With Warriors in Iowa

OTTUMWA, Iowa. – Butler softball made the long trip over to Iowa to take on Indian Hills over the weekend and came away with a doubleheader split at R.L. Hellyer Field on Saturday.

The Grizzlies (39-7) fell 6-3 in game one before bouncing back for a 4-1 win over the Warriors (28-18) in game two. The teams have now split two different doubleheaders this season after previously splitting at East Park on March 11th.

The two squads will play a second doubleheader on Sunday with first pitch at 11 a.m. before the Grizzlies travel back to El Dorado.

Game 1: Indian Hills 6, Butler 3

A five run fifth inning from Indian Hills is what ultimately decided the game as Butler fell 6-3 in seven.

The Grizzlies led 2-0 as they plated two in the first off a Chloe Cardona RBI groundout and Alivia Darbe RBI single. They held the 2-0 lead into the fourth where they added another off Claire Lopez's RBI single to center field.

Indian Hills used five runs off four hits and an error in the fourth to claim a 5-3 lead. They were able to hold Butler off the score board for the remainder of the game as pitcher Sara Reid (W, 12-6) threw a complete game striking out seven and walking three to go with nine hits.

Butler's Cheyenne Handsaker (L, 16-3) got the start and suffered her first loss since March 16th in a 4-2 loss to Cowley at East Park. She allowed five runs on seven hits in 3.0 innings, walking three and striking out two. Addy Ewing threw the final 3.0 innings in relief and gave up just one run, striking out two.

Aly Hageman, Kory Schoenfeld and Madison Montgomery each had two hit games for Butler. Hageman registered two doubles.

Indian Hills was led by Claire Tipton's three hits and Eva Fulk's two RBI.

The loss snapped Butler's 18-game win streak. Their previous loss came on March 18th in an 11-3 loss to Hutch at East Park.  

Game 2: Butler 4, Indian Hills 1

Butler starting pitcher Chloe Odle (W, 13-4) threw a complete game allowing just one run on four hits, striking out five and walking two as she led the Grizzlies to a win and salvaged the doubleheader.

Odle threw 114 pitches and saw the Warriors scratch across their lone run in the second inning on a solo home run by Julia Kwakernaak.

All four Grizzly runs came in the third inning. Chloe Cardona doubled to left field to score Claire Lopez to tie the game 1-1 and get the Grizzlies on the board.

Two batters later freshman Alivia Darbe lifted a solo home run to left field, her seventh of the season, that put Butler ahead 4-1 for good.

SB at Indian Hills (G2) | T3

Alivia Darbe LAUNCHES her 7th home run of the year, breaking a 1-1 tie to put Butler ahead 4-1!#RoarGrizz�� pic.twitter.com/5I7iXKx4pi

— Butler Grizzlies (@ButlerGrizzlies) April 20, 2024

Kyrsten Moran, Cardona, Aly Hageman and Darbe each had two hits.

The Warriors Alivia Ruble (L, 2-2) threw all 7.0 innings allowing the four runs on 10 hits.

Julia Kwakernaak led them with two hits and the lone RBI on the home run.