Butler advances to NJCAA D1 Nationals with sweep over Otero
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | X | 3 | 9 | 1 |
LA JUNTA, Colo. -- For the third year in a row, the Butler softball team advanced to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament with a pair of victories Thursday against Region XI champion Otero (Colo.) in the Division E best-of-three series.
Behind a complete-game, 13-strikeout performance by Maggie Ham, the No. 1-ranked Grizzlies took Game 1 by a 5-3 score, then clinched the national bid with a 3-0 victory in Game 2 to sweep the series.
Butler improves to 50-2 overall and extended their season-high winning streak to 27 games. The 50 wins sets a new school record for most wins in a season, with the previous high being 49 victories set by the 2007 and 2008 teams.
The Grizzlies will next play Wednesday, May 15th in the first round of the national tournament in St. George, Utah at the Canyons Complex. The seeding, opponent and time has yet to be determined.
GAME 1 - Butler 5, Otero (Colo.) 3
Maggie Ham (27-1) earned the win in Game 1 with a 13-strikeout performance, despite giving up a pair of solo home runs in the seventh inning.
Butler took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI double by Kate James down the left-field line score Dominica O'Nelio. The Grizzlies added a second run in the fifth when Caitlin Coody scored on a Sydney Stuever sacrifice fly.
Butler then scored three runs in the sixth inning. With one out, Rachel Harper scored on an fielder's choice as she just barely beat a throw from shortstop. Erin Boston followed with an RBI double to the right-center gap to bring home Kate James, then Coody added a bunt single to score Ashton Atwell to give the Grizzlies a 5-0 lead.
Ham pitched all seven innings, allowing just two earned runs on four hits and walking one in the victory.
GAME 2 - Butler 3, Otero (Colo.) 0
Butler's Mac Millspaugh and Otero's Dominique Garcia were locked in a pitching duel, but Kate James broke open the scoreless tie with a two-run home run to center field in the bottom of the fourth inning. The homer was James' 23rd of the season, which improves on the school record for most in a season.
Otero threatened in the sixth inning when the Rattlers had two runners in scoring position with one out, but Maggie Ham came in to relieve Millspaugh and strike out the final two batters to end the rally.
The Grizzlies added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, Ashley Malone and Ashton Atwell hit consecutive singles to put runners on the corners. Malone then scored from third on a wild pitch.
Butler finished off the game with another dominating performance by Ham, as she struck out the final three batters to win the series.
Millspaugh picked up the win and remained perfect on the season with a 17-0 record. The sophomore tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowed just four hits and struck out six. Ham earned her fifth save and fanned all five batters she faced, giving her 18 combined strikeouts for the two games.