Butler Edges St. John’s in Game One, 3-1

Friday, April 2

Indianapolis, IN

3 p.m.

St. John's University

7-9, 4-5

Butler

11-14, 3-7

St. John's

Butler

4/2/2021 5:46:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

Red Storm offense comes up short despite Erin Brown’s eight-strikeout performance

By: Kenny Conrade

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. – The St. John's softball team dropped the first of three games to Butler on Friday afternoon, 3-1, at Butler Softball Field in Indianapolis.

The Red Storm (7-9, 4-5 BIG EAST) put together four hits on the afternoon, scoring one run, as Butler (11-14, 3-7 BIG EAST) starter Karli Ricketts (8-5) worked a complete game, striking out eight en route to the victory.

Gretchen Bowie led the way offensively for the Red Storm, as she picked up a hit and reached base in all four plate appearances while scoring the team's lone run of the game. Bowie also stole three bases for St. John's on the afternoon. Marissa Rizzi, Peyton Cody and Meisha Murray picked up base hits as well for the Johnnies.

Erin Brown (2-4) had another strong outing for the Red Storm, surrendering five hits and allowing three runs, all of which came in the second inning, while striking out a career-high eight batters.

The Johnnies offense started the afternoon strong, as Bowie was hit by a pitch and stole second and third base. With two outs and Cody at the plate, she drilled an RBI double to deep left field to give the Red Storm the early lead, 1-0, after half an inning of play.

After Brown was able to hold the Bulldogs off the scoresheet in the first, the home team pushed all of its offense across in the second. Following a leadoff base hit, Butler singled in a run following a fielder's choice to knot the game at one. The eventual game-winning run came around to score on a two-RBI triple with two outs off the bat of Lauren Fey, as Butler grabbed a lead they wouldn't relinquish, 3-1.

The Red Storm threatened in a few innings against Ricketts, with their best chance at tying the game coming in the fifth when they had Rizzi and Bowie on first and second with two outs and Kaitlin Mattera at the plate. The Red Storm designated player drove a ball to the center field fence which was tracked down to end the threat.

Bowie would pick up a single in the seventh and send the tying run to the plate, but the Red Storm could not push anyone across, falling 3-1 to the Bulldogs.

Games two and three of this BIG EAST series will be played tomorrow afternoon as a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. Both contests can be followed via live stats, but no live game broadcast will be available.