Butler softball no-hits Pratt to open Region VI tourney

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Butler freshman Brianna Robinson hit two home runs while sophomore pitchers Celina Sullivan and Maddie Siemer combined for a no-hitter in the Grizzlies' 9-1 victory over Pratt during Friday's opening round of the Region VI Division I Softball Tournament.

The Grizzlies (45-4 overall) will advance to Saturday's quarterfinal round against Barton, who defeated Garden City 5-4. First pitch from Legends Park in Dodge City is at 1:00 p.m. If Butler wins, they will move into Sunday's winner's bracket game at 10:00 a.m.

Robinson went 3-for-3 with five runs batted in, including a three-run homer to left in the opening frame. Henderson, Texas native added a solo home run to lead off the third inning, which was her team-high 19th on the season. In her final plate appearance in the fourth, Robinson hit a bloop single to score Shalee Brantley.

Sullivan (19-1) threw four innings of no-hit ball, striking out four and walking four. Siemer closed the game with a perfect fifth inning with two strikeouts. The no-hitter was the fourth thrown by the Butler pitching staff this season. Butler previously no-hit Pratt back on March 15, as Sullivan, Robinson and Payton Reynolds combined on a 14-0 road victory.

After Robinson's three-run homer put Butler up 3-0, Reagan Wilson added to the lead with an RBI single that drove in pinch runner Jordan Carlson.

Robinson then led off the third with a solo shot to left field, then Alexis Reed followed with a single and moved to third base on the play courtesy of a Pratt two-base error. Abi Cole hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Reed for a 6-0 Grizzly lead.

Pratt scored its only run in the fourth on a fielding error on a steal attempt, allowing a run to score from third base. Despite getting no-hit, the Beavers still managed four baserunners - all on walks. Three of the walks came during the fourth inning, as Pratt left the bases loaded against Sullivan.

Brantley and Robinson hit RBI singles in the fourth to give Butler an 8-1 lead. The Grizzlies managed to load the bases with one out in the fifth, then ended the game on an Anna Williams single to score Allison Jurgensen.

Reed finished 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Paige Pacher and Brantley each scored two runs.

NOTES: Robinson moved past teammate Alexis Reed for fifth place on the Grizzlies' single-season leaderboard. She has hit 13 home runs in the last 17 games, with four games of two home runs… Robinson also had her third straight three-hit game and has now hit safely in 12 consecutive games, hitting .622 (23-of-37) with nine home runs and 28 runs batted in during the streak... Butler improved to 9-4 in Region VI opening round games under head coach Doug Chance.