A six-run sixth inning and a dominating performance from Karli Ricketts in the circle gave the Bulldogs an 8-1 win over top-seeded DePaul in Thursday's BIG EAST Tournament opener.
The double-elimination tournament is being contested in Storrs, Conn. With the win, Butler advances to play Friday and will meet the winner of the UConn-Villanova match-up that is being played later Thursday.
Ricketts struck out five in her complete-game outing. She allowed only four hits and two walks, settling down after surrendering a run to DePaul in the bottom of the first. Ricketts was able to pitch out of jams in both the second and third innings, stranding two runners on base in each frame.