NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Butler softball team picked up two wins over Tennessee State on Saturday, completing the sweep of the three-game series. The Bulldogs (4-4) won the first game of the day, 12-0, in five innings, but the Tigers (0-3) came from behind to force extras in the nightcap, eventually succumbing to the Dawgs by the final score of 10-6.
 
With a first-inning bunt single in the afternoon's first game, Cate Lehner produced the 200^th hit in her Butler career. This breaks Butler's program record, surpassing Amy Hyerczyk who had attained 199 from 2005-2008. Lehner finished the day at 202.
 
Freshman Kayla Preiss was also a highlight in the batter's box over the back-to-back games. She went four-for-six, scoring three runs and knocking in four baserunners.
 
Game 2: Butler 12, TSU 0 (5 innings)
 
In the first inning, with the bases loaded, Olivia Robards put the ball in play, allowing Lehner to score from third. One inning later, Butler erupted with seven runs on five hits and two errors, extending its lead to 8-0. A sacrifice fly added a ninth run in the third.
 
In the fifth, the lead grew to 12 as the Bulldogs added three runs on just one hit.
 
Katie Petran (1-2) pitched a complete-game shutout for the Bulldogs. In 5.0 innings, she allowed only three hits, struck out six, and did not yield any walks.
 
Game 3: Butler 10, TSU 6 (8 innings)
 
In the first inning, with Hailey Conger (2-3, 3R, RBI) on first, an Alexander (2-3, 3RBI) triple gave the Bulldogs an early, 1-0 lead.
 
In the third, Alexander picked up her second RBI of the game, using a single to knock in Lehner from second base. Additional RBIs were produced by Preiss (2-4, 2R, 2RBI) and Kieli Ryan, giving Butler a four-run lead.
 
One inning later, two bases-loaded walks increased the Bulldogs' lead to 6-0.
 
The TSU offense got going in the fifth inning with the help of some Butler miscues. The Tigers scored four runs off one hit and three errors, reducing the deficit to only two runs. In the sixth, the Tigers tied the game at six using one hit and another error.
 
After a scoreless seventh, the Bulldogs began with Lehner on second. Conger hit a single up the middle that allowed Lehner to score. Two batters later, Preiss singled home Conger. After two more runs on two more singles, Butler was up, 10-6, and three outs from victory.
 
Alyx Johnson (6R, 6H, BB, 3K) pitched through the first six innings and was relieved by Rylyn Dyer (1-1) to begin the seventh. Dyer, who pitched two innings and picked up the win, retired all six batters she faced, notching one strikeout.
 
Bulldog Bits

• Alexander's triple was a career first.
• Erin Clark's double in the afternoon game was her first this season and the fourth of her career.
• The game-three double by Kendall Graves was her second this season.
• Paige Lillie's single in the early game produced her first RBI of the season.
• Petran's shutout was the second of her career, and the win was her 23^rd. It was her 18^th complete game at Butler.
• Dyer's win in the circle was her first this season and the 15^th of her career.

Up Next
Butler will travel to Bowling Green, Ky., for the Hilltopper Classic. The event, hosted by Western Kentucky, will take place Friday through Sunday, Feb. 20-22. In addition to the host school, the Bulldogs will face Detroit Mercy and Western Michigan over five total games.