Butler run rules Pitt 13-1 in national tournament opener

(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 15, 2013) Top-seeded Butler began its march to a national title with a convincing 13-1 victory over #16-seed Pitt (NC) in five innings in the first round of the 2013 NJCAA Division I Women's Softball National Championship tournament Wednesday afternoon at the Canyons Complex.

Butler (51-2) will now go on to face #8 seed Wallace State (AL) CC in the championship bracket quarterfinal Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. (MDT). Meanwhile Pitt CC (28-12) will play #9-seed Santa Fe (FL) College in an elimination game Thursday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
 
The Grizzlies scored all 13 runs in the first four innings, including a pair of four-run outbursts in the second and fourth frames. Both rallies came with two outs in the inning. Butler infielder Kaitlyn Wolken drove in two runs on a double in the second inning, while Grizzly outfielder Rachel Harper brought home three on a bases-clearing double in the decisive fourth inning.

The run support was more than enough for Butler pitchers Maggie Ham and Mac Millspaugh, who scattered an unearned run on three hits with four strikeouts in five innings. Ham earned the win, improving to 28-1 in the season.

Pitt's lone tally came on a two-out error in the second frame. Pitt pitcher Jaimee Radel surrendered all 13 runs on 10 hits in taking the loss.