Valiant Effort Not Enough as Conqs Lose Two to National Powerhouse Butler Grizzlies

The Dodge City Community College softball team traveled to El Dorado to take on the 4^th ranked Butler Grizzlies, leaving with two losses.

The Conquistadors dropped the first game 12-3 and the second 24-5. The eight runs scored are the most Butler has given up in a KJCCC doubleheader this season as they sit at 23-2 on the year and a perfect 12-0 in KJCCC play.

In game one, Dodge City found themselves with a 3-1 lead headed into the bottom of the 3^rd inning. Daysha Mendez hit a home run and Danika Utajara drove in AJ Poell as the Conqs scored two in the 1^st inning. They scored another run when Makayla Garcia brought home Kalei Villegas to extend their lead to 3-1.

The bats proceeded to come alive for the Grizzlies as they scored five runs in the 3^rd and six more in the 4^th, leading to a 12-3 run-rule victory after five innings.

The Butler offense continued to roll into game two, opening with a 12-run 1^st inning followed by a seven-run 2^nd inning, jumping out to a 19-0 run. The Conquistadors played even up softball the remaining three innings, scoring four runs in the 3^rd and one more in the 4^th to Butler's one run. The 19-0 two-inning spurt was too much for Dodge City to overcome, losing 24-5.

Through 25 games, the Grizzlies sit at 1^st in the nation in batting average (.456), 7^th in the nation in runs scored 317), and 11^th in home runs (50).

"If a person looks strictly at the scores, they can assume nothing positive came out of these two games, which is very misleading," said head coach Howie Smith. "For as much as we have talked about our offensive struggles so far this season, today was a really good day at the plate as far as not chasing pitches out of the zone, fouling off a lot of border line strikes and keeping themselves alive. There is a reason Butler is ranked 4^th in the nation, but myself, Coach Reed, and I believe our players, come away from today with positives that we hope can carry over to Thursday's doubleheader."

In game one it was AJ Poell (2-3) and Makayla Garcia (2-2) producing a multi-hit effort with Mendez providing the lone home run for the Conquistadors. Danika Utajara picked up the start on the mound and took the loss, moving her to 4-3 on the year.

Game two saw one Conquistador, KarliAnn Bauer, produce a multi-hit game. Bauer went 2-3 with an RBI. Stephanie Torres hit the only home run for the Conqs in game two in her only at bat of the game. Makayla Kolojay picked up the start in game two, taking the loss in the process.

Dodge City moves to 9-9 on the year and 4-6 in KJCCC play. They are back in action on Thursday, April 1^st when they welcome the Seward County Saints to Legends Park for an afternoon doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 2:00 pm.

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