ORLANDO, FLA. -- Butler held off a late rally by Fairfield and posted a 4-3 victory on the final day of the UCF Spring Fling Tournament on Sunday (March 15).  The victory gave the Bulldogs a 3-2 record for the three-day tournament in Florida.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-0 lead and carried a 4-1 advantage into the final inning.  Fairfield pinch-hitter Molly Roche started the inning with a home run off of Butler relief pitcher Mikeila Boroff to cut Butler lead in half.  A Butler error, a single and a sacrifice bunt gave the Stags runners on second and third with one out.

Fairfield then timmed the Butler lead to one with an infield groundout, advancing the tying run to third base.  Butler head coach Scott Hall called on junior left-hander Kristin Gutierrez, and she responded by striking out the first batter she faced to end the game.

Butler (10-10) grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning.  Brandyce Sallee opened the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kristen Boros.  Salled then stole third and scored the game's first run on a throwing error.  Chelsea followed with a double, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Audrey Hiner.

Maria Leichty drove in Butler's third run with a single in the fifth inning, while Sallee plated Sarah Gronowski with a sacrifice bunt in the sixth frame.

Kacey Starwalt started in the circle for the Bulldogs and limited Fairfield to a single run through five-and-two-thirds innings.  She had five strikeouts in her stint, while improving to 3-1 on the year.

Sallee had a pair of hits to pace Butler's seven-hit attack.

After the conclusion of the tournament, Boros and Gutierrez were named to the 13-player All-Tournament Team.

The Bulldogs will return north and play their final pre-conference doubleheader at Northern Kentucky on Tuesday, March 17.