Grizzlies Move On To Championship Sunday

The Butler Grizzlies clinched a spot in the Region VI championship game with a 9-1 victory over Seward in the second game of the day on Saturday at Legends Park in Dodge City. The win will ensure that the Grizzlies are one win away from earning a trip to the Plains District Championship and Butler will have two chances to secure their spot as region champions.

Emma Koeneke pitched a stellar game, allowing only one run on four hits, securing her 20th win of the year in a five strikeout performance. Through three games this weekend, the Grizzlies have allowed only one run on eight hits, and punched out fifteen batters. Kendal LeGrand came in for the second time today and gave the Grizzlies an important sixth inning, retiring the Saints in order.

Ari Cordova's first inning two run home run was the difference, as she blasted her 10th home run of the season. Cordova added one more RBI in the fourth, and Gianna De Luca-Paape brought in two more on a single in the fifth.

Gentry Shepherd came through with the biggest hit of the day, an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning that secured the run rule victory and advanced the Grizzlies to the next round. Butler put up nine runs on 12 hits, also earning four walks.

The win will advance Butler's record to 45-2 on the year and the winning streak is now extended to 20 straight victories. They will have the chance to wrap up the region title tomorrow at noon, playing against either the second seeded Hutchinson Blue Dragons or Seward in a potential rematch with the title on the line.