MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – The Butler softball team picked up a pair of victories on day one at the Spring Games, defeating Middle Tennessee and Cornell. The Bulldogs (6-6, 0-0 BIG EAST) have now won four straight contests.
 
Butler came from behind to beat the Blue Raiders (0-10, 0-0 C-USA) using a six-run third inning. Against the Big Red (0-2, 0-0 Ivy League), the Bulldogs broke a 4-4 tie after three and never trailed.
 
Game 1: Butler- 8, MTSU- 6 (7 innings)
 
Middle Tennessee took an early lead off a three-run homer in the top of the first. In the bottom half, a pair of doubles from Ella White and Teagan O'Rilley sent Hailey Conger and White across. The Blue Raiders led 3-2 after one complete.
 
MTSU led off the second with another long ball and held a 4-2 lead after two.
 
In the third, White's second double put runners on second and third with no outs. Paige Dorsett promptly sent her second pitch over the fence, and Butler took a 5-4 lead. A single from Olivia Moxley and a double from Conger plated three more, extending the lead to 8-4.
 
In the top of the seventh, MTSU threatened scoring two but leaving two stranded.
 
Katie Petran (4-0) earned a complete-game victory in the circle. In 7.0 innings, she allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits and one walk with four strikeouts.
 
Game 2: Butler- 15, Cornell- 8 (7 innings)
 
Each team score four runs in the first, and the 4-4 tie held through three innings.
 
Butler scored three in the fourth, but Cornell answered with two. The Bulldogs added two in the fifth and four in the sixth, but the Big Red answered with two in the bottom half.
 
Butler plated two more in the seventh, and the defense preserved the seven-run margin.
 
The Bulldogs were led on offense by Ella White (4-5, 2B, 3RBI, 3R, SB), Cate Lehner (3-3, RBI, 3R), Paige Dorsett (3-5, R), Sydney Carter (2-2, 2RBI, 2R) and Hailey Conger (2H, 2 RBI, 3R).
 
Sydney Cammon (2-4) started for Butler and picked up the win. In 3.0 innings, she allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks, striking out one. Rylyn Dyer (4.0 IP, 3R, 5H, 2BB) provided relief in the fourth and picked up a save.
 
Bulldog Bits

• Paige Dorsett's home run vs. MTSU was her third of the season and 12^th of her career.
• Ella White's three doubles for the day give her six for the season and 26 for her career.
• Teagan O'Rilley's double vs. MTSU was her fourth of the season and 11^th of her career.
• Hailey Conger's double vs. MTSU was the third of her career.
• Katie Petran pitched her fourth complete-game win of the season vs. MTSU.
• Sydney Cammon's win in the circle was her second of the season.
   
• Butler's win over MTSU was the 300^th in Head Coach Scott Hall's collegiate career.

Up Next
Butler remains in Madeira Beach, Florida, for day two at the Spring Games on Saturday, Feb. 24. Scheduled opponents are Brown and LeMoyne.