INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The first matchup of a three-game series in the Hoosier State did not go Villanova softball's way on Thursday afternoon, falling to the Butler Bulldogs 3-2 at the Butler Softball Field.
Ava Mahnken contributed her second career three-hit game for Villanova (22-19-1, 11-5 BIG EAST), doubling to lead off the game and scoring both of the team's runs.
Maranda Runco added a pair of knocks, Ava Franz recorded the team's lone RBI and Grace Reed reached twice on the day with a hit and walk.
Kat Gallant received the loss despite allowing just one earned run in six frames as the starter, striking out three with eight hits against her.
Mahnken doubled to lead off the contest, moved up to third on a passed ball and came in on a Franz grounder for an early 1-0 advantage. Franz reached on a throwing error and got to third on an Elaina Wagner single, but two strikeouts ended the VU chance for any more runs.
The Bulldogs also got a leadoff baserunner but Mahnken gunned her down at second on an attempted steal, which Gallant followed with a pair of outs to keep Villanova ahead after one.
The Wildcats threatened again in the third when Mahnken singled and Franz doubled for two aboard with one out, but both got thrown out at the dish in the same play to keep the edge at one.
Brooklyn Ostrowski and Reed each worked walks in the fourth and Runco doubled in the fifth but the 'Cats were unable to add to the lead.
Butler made Villanova pay for all of those runners left on base, tying up the ballgame in the fifth with an unearned run after a leadoff error, sacrifice bunt and two-out single made the score 1-1.
A pair of two-out baserunners in the sixth gave VU another chance to get on the board again, though it ended with a popout and the game still tied.
That level score changed quickly after a leadoff double, sacrifice bunt and two singles for the Bulldogs granted the home side a 3-1 edge after six.
Mahnken and Runco each singled to kick off Villanova's final hacks and an error moved Mahnken up to third, then a double play did enough to score Mahnken but took the tying runner off the basepaths. An ensuing strikeout ended the contest as a 3-2 Butler win to open up the series.
UP NEXT: The Wildcats and Bulldogs will compete in a Friday doubleheader to wrap up the series with the twin bill set for first pitches at 2 and 4 p.m. at the Butler Softball Field.
