Butler dropped a 5-2 decision to Detroit Mercy Sunday morning, concluding play at the Total Control Sports Invitational at The Dome in Rosemont, Ill.

With the result, the Bulldogs finish the opening weekend of the 2019 season at 2-3.

Detroit Mercy jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three innings, crossing the plate in each of those innings.

The Bulldogs responded in the bottom of the fourth as freshman Bri Avery and senior Kaitlin Doud opened the frame with singles. Karli Ricketts then stepped up and doubled to right center, scoring both of her teammates and pulling the Bulldogs within a 4-2 margin.

Behind a single and a walk, the Bulldogs would eventually load the bases with no outs before Detroit Mercy's Regan Glenn, who came on to pitch mid-inning, was able to solicit a force-out at home, a strikeout, and a two-out groundout to strand three runners.

Detroit Mercy added an insurance run in the fifth inning.

Avery had two of the Bulldogs' seven hits.

Doud got the start in the circle, allowing the first four UDM runs over 3.1 innings of work. Sophomore Alyssa Graves came on in relief, striking out three and surrendering one run over the final 3.2 frames.

The Bulldogs next travel to Clearwater, Fla., for another five-game weekend. Butler opens the Madeira Beach Invitational Friday with games against Delaware and Murray State.