This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
St. George • The Salt Lake Community College Bruins knew they had a formidable foe on their hands when they faced the Butler Grizzlies in the semifinals of the NJCAA Softball World Series.
When defensive lapses came, the Grizzlies knew what to do with them.
Pitcher Brynn Minor singled, stole second and went to third on a throwing error that started a six-run second-inning rally, and Butler showed why they're the defending national champions with a 9-3 victory over Salt Lake (50-7) at the Canyons Complex. The Grizzlies improved to 57-1 on the year and reached the title game for the second year in a row.
Salt Lake coach Cyndee Bennett gave the credit where it was due, but knows her team has a challenge on its hands.
"Butler's a very good team and they deserve the No. 1 ranking," Bennett said. "We hit their pitcher well, now we just need to string those hits together."
SLCC will play Florida Southwestern Saturday morning (10 a.m.). If the Bruins win they will draw Butler against in a rematch for the national title at noon.
The Bruins hit Minor in a literal sense to start their lone rally in the third inning. With two out, Kaylee Bott hit a grounder that glanced off Minor's right ankle for an infield single. Madison Sisco reached on an error by Grizzlies shortstop Becca Schulte, and Alex Valencia belted a three-run homer that cut the lead in half to 6-3.
Butler responded in the fourth and matched Salt Lake with a three-run inning of its own that started with two infield singles that traveled less than 20 feet total from home plate. Ki'a Hayter singled to score one run and Kenzie Young hit a two-run homer off starter Addie Jensen.
The Bruins would threaten once more in the bottom of the seventh when Lauren Tycksen singled and Bott reached on an error to put two runners on, but Sisco grounded into a fielder's choice for the final out.
"They were smart and put the pressure on our defense," Bennett said. "They're very disciplined hitters."
Both teams committed three errors and Butler outhit Salt Lake 13-6. Young, Minor and Allison Jurgensen had two hits apiece to pace the Grizzlies.
Salt Lake assured itself of playing on Saturday with a 6-1 victory over Lake Land in their opening game. Sisco doubled in a run and stole home in the first inning and catcher Laina SueSue added a two-run homer in the fourth for the Bruins.