FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Butler softball team came from behind to beat Purdue Fort Wayne, 5-4, in a midweek game. The Bulldogs (8-18) took an early lead but gave it up in the fifth inning, as the Mastodons (5-16) carried a 4-3 lead into the seventh. Butler rallied with two late runs and the defense held for the non-conference victory.
How It Happened
Butler jumped on the board early, hitting three doubles in the top of the first and scoring three. After a
Kaylee Gross lead-off double and a
Sydney Carter walk,
Paige Dorsett (2-2, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R) hit a double to center that plated Gross.
Monique Hoosen then hit a two-run double, sending Carter and Dorsett across. The 3-0 lead held through three innings.
In the bottom of the fourth, Purdue Fort Wayne followed up a single with a home run and drew to within one, 3-2. In the fifth, after the Bulldogs made a pitching change, the Mastodons scored two more on three hits and two walks. Purdue Fort Wayne led 4-3, after five complete.
In the top of the seventh,
Ella White (2-3) hit a lead-off double, and Dorsett produced her second double of the game, sending White home and tying the score at four. After a Ryan walk and a passed ball, Butler had runners on second and third with nobody out. An
Ellie Boyer single allowed Dorsett to tag home and provided what was ultimately the winning run.
Butler made it's second pitching change entering the bottom of the seventh and then retired all three Fort Wayne batters to secure the win.
Kayla Noerr (4.0 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 3 BB, K) started in the circle for Butler and left after the third with Butler up, 3-2.
Rylyn Dyer (4-5) provided relief in the fifth and sixth and was awarded the win. In 2.0 innings she allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one.
Sydney Cammon entered in the middle of the seventh and was credited with a save. Cammon retired all three batters she faced, striking out one.
Bulldog Bits
- Kaylee Gross's double was her third of the season and the fourth of her career.
- Paige Dorsett's two doubles were her second and third of the season and the fourth and fifth of her career.
- Monique Hoosen's double was her fourth of the season and the tenth of her career.
- Ella White's double her fifth of the season and the 16th of her career.
- Cate Lehner's stolen base in the fourth inning was the first of her career.
Up Next
Butler's three-game home series with St. John's, from Friday, Mar. 17 through Sunday, Mar. 19, has been cancelled due to forecast inclement weather. The Bulldogs are next scheduled to host IUPUI on Wednesday, Mar. 22.
