The Bulldogs split two Saturday contests to open the Southern Illinois University Invitational. Butler dropped a 5-3 decision to Kansas before dispensing with the host Salukis, 10-2, in six innings. The Bulldogs are now 7-8 on the season, with two games to play in Carbondale on Sunday.

In the opener against Kansas, Butler got out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first by getting runners to second and third and scoring them on a fielder's choice and suicide squeeze.

Kansas came back to take a 3-2 lead before Butler tied the contest in the bottom of the third. After three scoreless innings, Kansas pushed across two runs in the top of the seventh on a two-run homer.

Kristin Gutierrez (2-4) went all seven innings in the circle, allowing six hits while striking out six. Sarah Dixon had two of the team's five hits. Kaitlin Doud had two RBIs.

In the game against Southern Illinois, Butler pushed across its 10 runs thanks to 10 hits and drawing 10 walks. The first four batters in the Bulldogs line-up – Maggie MacBeth, Dixon, Brandyce Sallee, and Doud – each had two hits. Dixon drove in three and Doud knocked in two teammates.

With the score tied at two after two innings, Butler jumped on the host team with five runs in the top of the third. Single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth pushed the lead to eight and ended the game after six innings.

Kacey Starwalt improved to 3-0 on the season, striking out five. She allowed four hits and both runs, but only one was earned.  

Butler and Eastern Illinois match up Sunday at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern). The Bulldogs and Salukis then close the event with a game scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. (Eastern). Live stats are available for both contests. A video feed provided by SIU is expected for the game with the Salukis.