ATLANTA, Ga. – The Butler softball team dropped its second game to South Dakota in as many days at the Panther Invitational at GSU but bounced back to beat the host team in the afternoon. The Bulldogs (3-6) were shutout, 5-0, by the Coyotes (3-5) but took an early lead and then never trailed the host Panthers (2-7), holding on for a 6-5 victory.
Game 3: South Dakota- 5, Butler- 0 (7 innings)
South Dakota put one across in the first for an early, 1-0, lead.
In the second, Butler loaded the bases with two outs but could not find a gap to send anyone home.
The Coyotes added two runs in the fifth, one in the sixth, and another in the seventh.
Rylyn Dyer (0-2) started in the circle for Butler, lasted into the fifth inning, and took the loss. She allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks with one strikeout.
Kayla Noerr (3.0 IP, 2R, 4H, K) entered in relief with nobody out in the fifth and finished the game.
Game 4: Butler- 6, Georgia State- 5 (7 innings)
Paige Dorsett's single and
Kieli Ryan's base on balls each produced an RBI in the top of the first, giving Butler an early, 1-0, lead.
GSU put one across in the second, but the Bulldogs matched the run in the third, building a 3-1 lead that held through four.
In the fifth,
Teagan O'Rilley and
Makena Alexander reached base on a double and single, respectively. Ryan followed up with a three-run home run, putting the Bulldogs up, 6-1.
The Panthers hit a two-RBI home run in the bottom half of the fifth and then another in the sixth, closing the gap to 6-5 going into the seventh.
Katie Petran remained effective in the circle, shutting down the first three batters she faced in the bottom of the seventh to secure the victory.
Petran (3-0) threw a complete game and earned the win, her third such combination this season. She allowed five runs on eight hits and one walk, striking out five.
Bulldog Bits
- Hailey Conger's double vs. South Dakota was the first of her career.
- Ella White's double vs. GSU was her third of the season and 23rd of her career.
- Teagan O'Rilley's double vs. GSU third of the season and tenth of her career.
- Kieli Ryan's home run vs. GSU was her first of the season and second of her career. Her four RBI were a career high.
- Katy Petran's complete-game win in the circle vs. GSU was her third this season.
Up Next
Butler remains in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Panther Invitational at GSU and will play a final game against Georgia State on Sunday, Feb. 18.
