INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – A critical conference series is set for The Hoosier State this weekend as the BIG EAST's third-place team Villanova softball (22-18-1, 11-4 BIG EAST) travels to Indianapolis for a three-game set against the Butler Bulldogs.

Due to inclement weather in the forecast, the series has been moved to a single game on Thursday and a Friday doubleheader starting at 2:00 p.m. from the Butler Softball Field.

'CATS AND 'DAWGS SQUARE OFF    
The Wildcats will make a trip out to Indianapolis for Easter weekend, taking on one of the BIG EAST's top teams in the Butler Bulldogs. Both teams are currently in slots for a conference tournament berth, but the margin for error is minimal with seven of nine teams currently at or above .500. The all-time series between the two is nearly dead even as the 'Cats own a 13-12 edge all-time over Butler, but the Bulldogs maintain a 5-4 lead since 2022. Villanova won the 2023 series in Indy with 5-3 and 7-2 victories sandwiching a 2-0 Saturday loss. Butler was one of just two BIG EAST teams to take a series from the 'Cats last year, though VU had already locked up the one seed when they met BU in the final regular season weekend.

DROPPED ONE AT DELAWARE    
Villanova suffered a loss in its midweek matchup, falling to the Delaware Blue Hens 12-2 in six innings at the Delaware Softball Diamond. The 'Cats got the game's first two runs, capitalizing on a two-out UD error as a Brooklyn Ostrowski triple drove home two unearned runs in Ava Franz and Elaina Wagner to get Villanova up 2-0. The Blue Hens put together a six-run third inning to wrest control of the matchup and despite bases loaded for Villanova in the fourth, the Wildcats couldn't score again and Delaware scored six more to end the game as a run-rule. Lexi Kobryn and Kat Gallant both threw for Villanova, each surrendering six runs while striking out a pair of batters on the night.

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OTHER 'CATS     
After the graduation of a 2024 class with four of the top hitters in program history, the Wildcats had a lot of spots to replace in the lineup entering 2025. Beyond just the steady senior class, the 'Cats have gotten production out of the other spots at key times this season. Juniors Madison Ostrowski (.283 average) and Maddie Burrows (19 hits) have each started double digit games for the Wildcats after limited opportunities earlier in their careers. The sophomore class has been critical for Villanova, led by Maranda Runco who paces the squad at 12 home runs with 40 hits, 34 RBI and 18 walks while classmates Grace Reed (16 hits, starter at third base), Elizabeth Gray (15 runs) and Mackenzie Waghorn (game-winning grand slam in win over Virginia Tech) have each produced bright spots.

A BRIEFING ON BUTLER

• The Bulldogs come into the weekend at 21-18, owning a 10-8 mark in conference play. Butler got out to a hot start in their league slate, sweeping DePaul and Georgetown while taking two of three from Providence but dropping two at Connecticut and St. John's then all three at Creighton last weekend.
• Two-time All-BIG EAST honoree Cate Lehner has been one of the top hitters in the conference again, batting .404 overall with 57 hits, 33 runs scored and a league-high 29 stolen bases. 2024 All-Region selection Ella White adds a .474 on-base percentage, 30 walks and 33 runs batted in while Makena Alexander has nine homers and Leigh Vande Hei contributes a .378 average.
• Three pitchers have done the majority of work for the Bulldogs with 20-plus appearances coming from Gwen Baker, Rylyn Dyer and Katie Petran. Baker, the team's freshman ace, leads the staff with 90.1 innings and 61 strikeouts, Dyer adds a 1.65 WHIP in 65 frames and Petran maintains a staff-low .284 batting average against her in 14 starts.

All three matchups will feature statistics courtesy of StatBroadcast with streaming on FloCollege for only Thursday and the first game on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday's doubleheader will start at 2:00 p.m. with the series finale set for either 4:00 p.m. or 30 minutes after game one ends.