Garden City falls in Region VI Tourney opener

By Mike Pilosof

Dodge City, KS-For the third time in a week, Butler got the better of Garden City.

Delaney Fenoglio came off the bench to drive in three runs, Shayna Espy collected three hits, and the Grizzlies beat the Broncbusters 14-5 in Friday night's Region VI Tournament opener at Legends Park. With the win, Butler advances to play Dodge City Saturday at 11 a.m., while Garden City battles Hutchinson in an elimination game at 9 a.m.

After a scoreless first inning, Butler went to work in the second, scoring their first run on an error by third baseman Audrey Graf. Espy then knocked in one, Brianna Robinson walked with the bases loaded, and Taliya Talley singled home a pair to make it 5-0.

The Broncbusters answered in the top of the third when Graf's RBI single got Garden City on the board. But the Grizzlies countered with four in the home half fueled by Fengolio's three-run double that put Butler up 9-1.

In the fourth, Butler extended the lead. Olivia DePew smashed a pinch-hit, two-run double, Espy added her second RBI of the day, Anna Williams drew a bases-loaded walk, and another run scored on a passed ball to put the Grizzlies ahead 14-1.

Garden City did not go quietly in the fifth. Graf singled home two, and Brittany Dowell added an RBI groundout to make it 14-5. But with two outs, Vivian Lopez struck out to end the game.

Megan Johnson threw 41 pitches in three innings for Butler, striking out three, and allowing just one run on three hits.

Graf paced the Broncbusters, finishing 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBI. Ariel Denney was the only other Garden City player to record a multi-hit game, she was 2-for-2 with two runs scored.