Butler Advances to Winner's Bracket With Run Rule Victory

The Grizzlies began the Region VI Tournament with a 9-1 win over the seventh seeded Seward County Saints keeping hopes alive of repeating as the Region VI tournament champs
for the seventh consecutive year and a journey back to the NJCAA National Tournament.

The Grizzlies took an early lead in the first inning plating two runners, and never looked back. The offense was led by Ryanna Valdivia and Amayiah Hall, who both went 3-3 at the plate. Valdivia had 2 RBIs, while Hall scored a run. Briona Woods also had a strong game, going 2-4 with 2 RBIs. 

It was a staff effort on the mound beginning with Allyson Montgomery pitching 2 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out 3 batters. Emma Koeneke joined for one inning of relief, and Ariel Matula also contributed to the pitching effort, holding the Saints to just 1 run. Lena Walter closed out the game, pitching a scoreless 6th inning. 

The Grizzlies are now 28-4 in conference play, and 40-10 overall marking the seventh straight year the program has reached 40 plus wins in a season. They now prepare to face the Colby Trojans in the next round of the Region VI Tournament at noon on Saturday.

Notes: This is the seventh straight year the Butler Softball program has won their Region VI Tournament first round game, and the sixth straight playoff win over Seward County. The Grizzlies are 15-1 against Seward in the tournament since 2004 and have defeated the Saints in 35 of the last 36 overall games.