Butler run-rules Hutchinson twice in doubleheader sweep

The Butler softball team evened its record with a pair of run-rule victories on Tuesday at Fun Valley Sports Complex in Hutchinson.

Butler won the first game 14-0 in five innings and then won the nightcap 15-4, also in five innings.

In the first game, Butler struck big early, scoring seven runs in the first inning. Three of those runs were driven in by Kelsey Berlin, who came up to bat twice in the long inning and doubled in both plate appearances. Kelci Garza finished the game with two hits, including a double, and five runs driven in.

In the second game, Butler got off to a slower start, scoring just two runs in the first inning. Hutchinson answered with its first run of the day in the bottom of the inning. The Grizzlies would score in every inning, though, getting four runs in each of the second and third innings, two more in the fourth and three in the fifth. 

Carlene McManigal led the Grizzlies in the second game, going 2-3 at the plate with a walk and driving in three runs. Rachel Harper was 3-3 at the plate and drove in two runs, as did, Abby Furstenberg, Ashley Malone and Alex Millspaugh.

Heather Ryder was the starting pitcher and earned the win after throwing four innings. She allowed four runs while striking out one batter and walking one. Mac Millspaugh threw a scoreless inning in relief to finish the game.

Butler improves to 3-3 on the season with the victories. The Grizzlies head back to Texas this weekend to play in the Temple Tournament on Friday and Saturday.