Dodge City softball struggled to maintain its offensive momentum on Saturday as it took on Butler and dropped a pair of tough matchups, 7-6 and 11-7. 

The Conquistadors, despite the losses, fell to 21-11 on the season and 7-3 in KJCCC action, also moving to 13-3 at home. 

The Conqs have a quick turnaround again with a busy week looming next week, starting with a non-conference tilt against Lamar on Monday, March 23rd, at 1:00 pm. 

Game 1 – Lost 7-6 vs Butler 
After an uneventful first inning to open the game, both teams got some offense going in the second. Butler started the scoring with three hits to open the second and four in the inning, scoring three runs. The Conqs countered with two runs on three hits and a walk in the bottom of the second as Danica Miller delivered a two-RBI single. The lead swung to the Conqs in the fourth with a pair of hits to make it 4-3. In the fourth, Butler sent seven to the plate and tallied three to regain the lead and tacked on another in the fifth to lead 7-4. Down to the final three outs, the Conqs continued to battle as Riley Moore opened the inning on an infield single, and then Jordyn Boxberger notched a single. After a groundout, Kloe Nelson delivered a two-RBI single to pull the Conqs within one. A fielder's choice got another run aboard before the second out, and then Karen Galaviz notched a single, but the Conqs stumbled at third and were unable to bring in the tying run, and a groundout in the next at bat capped the game at 7-6 as the Conqs had the tying run at third and winning run at second. 

In the loss, the Conqs recorded 10 hits, including a 2-2 game by Nelson, who had two walks, two RBI, and a run scored. Boxberger added a 2-4 game with two runs scored, while six other Conqs notched a hit. Boxberger tossed five innings in the loss, while Karli George tossed two scoreless innings of relief. 

Game 2 – Lost 11-7 vs Butler 
The Conqs limited the bats of Butler in the first two innings while getting a run in the bottom of the second, capitalizing on a double by Loren Sweat. In the third, Butler broke through with two runs, and they went on to score in each half inning after that, tallying two in the fourth, one in the fifth, five in the sixth, and another in the seventh. The Conqs tried to keep things close, pulling within one twice, but were unable to mount a full comeback. The Conqs had two runs in the fourth, then a solo home run from Galaviz in the fifth, and then two more in the sixth, highlighted by an RBI double from Harley Shoaf. Conqs tallied one final run in the seventh, but it was not enough, falling 11-7. 

Conqs were outhit in game two, 13-7. Sweat had a strong performance, going 3-4 with three runs scored and three doubles. Galaviz added a 2-3 game with a run scored, an RBI, a home run, and a walk. 

All four Conq pitchers saw action as the starter, Avery McCloskey, went five innings of work.