PHILADELPHIA PA. -- Butler scored five runs in the final inning of the second game against Villanova to pull out a 6-4 decision to earn a split in a BIG EAST doubleheader a Villanova Stadium on Saturday, April 12.  The host Wildcats won the opener of the three-game conference series, 3-0.

The Bulldogs (17-22, 5-5 BIG EAST) used four hits and two walks to fuel the five-run rally and overcome a 4-1 deficit.  Cassie Rupel opened the final frame with an inside-the-park solo home run to left field.  A bunt single by Sarah Gronowski and walks to Brandyce Sallee and Megan Gray loaded the bases for Alex Kotter, who delivered a single up the middle.  Gronowski and Sallee scored on the hit and Gray came home on an error by the centerfielder.

Kotter then scored the fifth run on a bunt single by Kristen Boros.

The big inning came after Butler managed just one run in their first 13 innings against the Wildcats.  Ace righthander Kate Poppe tossed a no-hit shutout against the Bulldogs in the opening game, and senior Kaity Sitzman allowed just one run through six-and-a-third innings of the second contest.

Butler jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the second game on a double by Kotter and a single by Boros.

But Villanova (13-23, 1-7 BIG EAST) struck back with a pair of runs in the third inning and single runs in the fourth and sixth frames.

Kotter, Boros and Rupel led Butler's 10-hit attack in the win with a pair of hits each.  Freshman Allie Tarrant, who came on to pitch in relief in the fourth inning picked up her second win of the season.  She allowed just one run on five hits over the final three-and-a-third innings.  The first-year righthander had two strikeouts and no walks in her relief effort.

Poppe was in command from the start in the opener.  She recorded 12 strikeouts and allowed just four base runners in her complete-game effort.  It was her second no-hitter of the season.

Butler starter Kristin Gutierrez was nearly as effective, blanking the Wildcats through the first five innings.  Villanova broke through with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to claim the victory.

Gutierrez, who had two strikeouts and no walks in the contest, slipped to 11-9 on the season.

The two BIG EAST teams will wrap up their conference series with a single game at Villanova Stadium on Sunday (April 13) starting at 11 a.m.