SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. -- Butler unleashed back-to-back, four-run innings and pulled away to a run-shortened 9-1 victory over Seton Hall on Saturday, April 26.  The game at Mike Sheppard Sr. Field was the first of a three-game BIG EAST series.

The Bulldogs (22-24, 8-7 BIG EAST) overcame a 1-0 deficit with a four-run rally in the top of the fourth inning and then padded the lead with another four-run rally in the top of the fifth.  A final run in the sixth inning gave Butler the decision on the eight-run rule.

Sophomore Kristin Gutierrez cruised to her fifth BIG EAST win.  After surrendering a run in the bottom of the first inning, the Butler left-hander blanked the Pirates over the final five frames.  She had five strikeouts and one walk, while improving to 13-10 on the year.

Butler's decisive rally started with one out when junior Kristen Boros reached on an error.  She stole second and scored to tie the game with two outs on a single by freshman Chelsea Norwood.  Senior Krista Hakola gave the Bulldogs the lead for good with a home run to left field, and sophomore Riley Carter followed with a solo shot over the left field fence.

Maria Leichty had a two-run single in Butler's four-run fifth inning.  Boros and shortstop Alex Kotter also drove in runs in the inning.

Boros drove in the final run of the game with a single in the sixth.

Hakola, Boros and Leichty each had a pair of hits to fuel Butler's 11-hit attack.  The trio each drove in two runs.

The victory was Butler's fifth straight and 14th in 19 contests.

Butler will close out the conference series with a doubleheader on Sunday, starting at noon.