Butler splits doubleheader with Kirkwood (Iowa)

The Butler softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Kirkwood (Iowa) on Thursday at East Park in a showdown of two teams who both played in the NJCAA World Series a year ago.

Kirkwood handled the Grizzlies in a 6-1 decision in the first game but the Grizzlies came back to win game two by a 10-6 score to salvage a split.

Butler improves to 11-8 on the season with a trip to Missouri for the Carthage Bash tournament on Saturday and Sunday.

GAME 1

Kirkwood's Catie Flaucher dominated Butler from the pitcher's circle, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out seven Grizzlies. Offensively for the Eagles, second baseman Jenny Nelson was 4-4 at the plate with a double and two home runs with three RBI.

Butler's lone run came on a homer by Abby Furstenberg in the sixth inning. She also had a double, providing Butler's only two extra base hits in the game. Mac Millspaugh took the loss after allowing nine hits and six runs, despite striking out seven Kirkwood batters.

GAME 2

Butler bounced back by breaking out the bats in the second game, pounding out 10 runs on 11 hits. The Grizzlies scored in every inning, allowing them to come back from an early 4-0 deficit.

Ashley Malone was 2-3 at the plate, driving in three runs, while Kaitlyn Wolken was 2-4 with a pair of doubles, driving in a run. Kelci Garza had two RBI on a single while pitcher Heather Ryder hit a solo home run to help her own cause.

Ryder earned the win in the circle, throwing the first four innings, allowing six runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out two. Kelsey Berlin closed out the game by throwing three scoreless innings for the save, allowing just two hits and striking out three.