PARIS, Texas – The 14th ranked Butler Grizzlies begin the season 0-4 after losses to three ranked opponents.
The 14th‑ranked Butler softball team opened its season with one of the toughest non‑conference slates in the country, facing three top‑20 opponents over a four‑game stretch. The Grizzlies battled throughout the weekend but came up short in all four contests.
Photo by Grizzly Athletics
Game 1: No. 7 Paris 8, No. 14 Butler 3
Butler struck first in the season opener, scoring twice in the second inning on an Emillee Stofferahn RBI double followed by a Jessica Sandell RBI single. The Grizzlies led 2–0 heading into the bottom half, but Paris responded with seven unanswered runs across the next four innings. Butler added one more run in the sixth, but the Lady Dragons controlled the remainder of the game to take the opener.
Game 2: No. 7 Paris 18, No. 14 Butler 11
The Grizzlies' offense came alive in game two, but Paris' firepower proved too much. The Lady Dragons exploded for six runs in the second inning to take an early 6–0 lead. Butler answered with a DeShawnna Bryant 2‑RBI single in the third, but Paris extended its advantage to 11–4 by the fifth.
Butler mounted an impressive comeback, scoring six runs in the fifth and tying the game 11–11 in the sixth on a solo home run from Stofferahn. Momentum briefly swung toward the Grizzlies, but Paris countered with a seven‑run bottom of the sixth to reclaim control and complete the sweep.
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ATHENS, Texas – The Grizzlies continued their road trip down south, facing off against two more ranked opponents.
Game 3: No. 9 Trinity Valley 13, No. 14 Butler 1
Kate Free delivered her first collegiate home run in the second inning to give Butler an early 1–0 lead, but Trinity Valley responded with 13 unanswered runs. The Cardinals collected 11 hits and six walks while striking out just once, securing a run‑rule victory in five innings. Butler finished with five hits in 19 at‑bats.
Game 4: No. 18 Seminole State 16, No. 14 Butler 1
In the weekend finale, Butler was run‑ruled for the second straight game as No. 18 Seminole State posted 19 hits in a 16–1 win. The Grizzlies recorded four hits and struck out eight times in the loss.
Next up: The non-conference slate doesn't get any easier for the Grizzlies, as they will be playing in the THF Winter Blast in Denison, Texas on February 13th and 14th. On the 13th, Butler will play Clarendon College at 9 a.m. and the No. 3 team in the country Grayson College at 1:30 p.m. On Saturday the 14th, the Grizzlies will play Blinn College at 9 a.m. and No. 22 Temple at 11:15 a.m.