MOBILE, ALA. -- Butler came up with two strong pitching performances on the first day of the 2015 Mardi Gras Invitational, hosted by South Alabama, and came away with a two-game split.  The Bulldogs won the opener against Evansville, 3-1, before falling in the second to Lipscomb, 2-1.

Freshman Mikeila Boroff turned in a complete-game performance on the mound in the first game to pick up the decision against Evansville.  She allowed just five hits in the seven-inning contest and just one run.  The first-year right-hander finished with one strikeout and one walk.

Butler (3-3) jumped to a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a two-run, home run by catcher Riley Carter.  That lead stood until the top of the fifth, when Evansville picked up its lone run on three hits.

The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth frame on a solo home run by reigning BIG EAST Player of the Week Alex Kotter.

It looked like Butler might make it two straight wins in the tournament in the second game.  The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning when Kotter reached on a fielding error, advanced to second on a walk and to third on a sacrifice bunt, and then scored on another Lipscomb error.

But Lipscomb came up with two unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull out the victory.  A walk, a hit and a sacrifice bunt led to the two runs scoring on an infield error.

The late rally spoiled a pitching gem by junior Kristin Gutierrez.  The Butler left-hander blanked the Lady Bisons on just one hit through the first six innings.  She finished the game with three strikeouts and two walks, while allowing just one earned run.

Kotter and sophomore Brandyce Sallee each has a pair of hits to pace the Bulldogs' attack.

Butler will continue play in the Mardi Gras Invitational with games against South Alabama (3:45 p.m. CT) and Oklahoma State (6 p.m. CT) on Saturday.