CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Butler softball team won its first game of the season, a 2-1 victory over Western Illinois (0-3) on day two of the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic. Later in the afternoon, the Bulldogs (1-3) lost to Drake (2-1) by the score of 8-6.
Game 3: Butler- 2, Western Illinois- 1 (7 innings)
WIU's perfect game through four innings was shattered when
Paige Dorsett led off with a triple in the fifth.
Teagan O'Rilley singled in pinch runner
Emily Todor to give Butler its first lead. The Dawgs then loaded the bases, and a wild pitch increased the lead to 2-0.
In the sixth, Butler had runners on first and third with one out, both were ultimately stranded.
In the bottom of the seventh, WIU scored one to close the gap. With runners on second and third and two outs, and a chance to take the lead, a pop-up to short ended the game.
Katie Petran (1-0) started for Butler in the circle and picked up her first win in a complete game. She was hitless through four innings. Ultimately, she allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out four.
Game 4: Drake 8, Butler- 6 (7 innings)
Drake took an early lead with a home run in the top of the first inning. In the bottom half, the Dawgs struck back. After
Ella White and
Paige Dorsett reached base, a
Teagan O'Rilley double cleared the bases and put Butler back in front, 2-1.
In the top of the second, Drake drew a bases-loaded walk that tied the game at two. The next batter doubled in two more runs, pushing the lead to 4-2, and a fielder's choice tacked on one more. The 5-2 lead held through the end of the second.
In the third,
Hailey Conger tripled and was knocked in when White put the ball in play. After a Dorsett walk, O'Rilley doubled to the gap and Butler pulled to within one, 5-4. A Drake error allowed one more run to cross, and the game was tied, 5-5, after three.
In the fifth, Drake regained the lead, 6-5, with a triple followed by an infield grounder. In the bottom half,
Makena Alexander singled in White from second, and the game was tied again, 6-6.
Drake pushed two across in the sixth to secure the 8-6 win.
Kayla Noerr (1.0IP, 4H, 3R) started in the circle for Butler, pitching into the second inning.
Rylyn Dyer (3.2 IP, 6H, 3R, 2BB) was first in relief in the middle innings.
Sydney Cammon (0-2) entered with two outs in the top of the fifth and was credited with the loss. In 2.1 innings, she allowed two runs on two hits and one walk.
Bulldog Bits
- Paige Dorsett's triple vs. WIU was the first of her career. Her double vs. Drake was the 13th of her career.
- Hailey Conger's triple vs. Drake was the first of her career.
- Ella White had a double in each game and now has 22 for her career.
- Teagan O'Rilley's had two doubles vs. Drake and now has nine for her career.
- Katie Petran pitched four hitless innings vs WIU and finished the game, earning her first collegiate victory. Including her appearance yesterday, she began her collegiate career pitching seven hitless innings.
Up Next
Butler remains in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for its final game at the UNI-Dome Classic on Sunday, Feb. 11. The Bulldogs will play Northern Illinois at 10 am ET (9 am CT).
