BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Butler softball team lost to both Detroit Mercy and Western Kentucky on Friday at the Hilltopper Classic.
 
The Bulldogs (4-6) held the lead over UDM through five innings and, after losing the lead, came back from three down to force extras. The Titans (2-4) ultimately prevailed, scoring the go-ahead run in the eighth.
 
In Butler's second game of the day, WKU (7-3) took a second-inning lead and never relinquished it, winning 9-0 in five innings.
 
Game 1: Detroit Mercy 10, Butler 9 (8 innings)
 
In the first inning, Butler took a four-run lead using four singles and an error. One inning later, a bases-loaded, two-run double by Alona Boydston put the Dawgs up, 6-0.
 
In the top of the sixth, Detroit Mercy scored nine runs on six hits and three errors to take the lead, 9-6.
 
In the bottom half of the sixth, Paige Lillie and Boydston each drew a walk. Kendall Graves then cleared the bases with a shot over the center field wall. The game was tied, 9-9, with one regulation inning to play.
 
Both teams stranded runners in the seventh, but neither could push anyone across.
 
In the top of the eighth, Detroit Mercy scored on an RBI single. The Titans then kept the Bulldogs off the board in the bottom half, securing the win.
 
Maren Berger (6.1-IP, 5R, 1ER, 4H, 6BB, 5K) started in the circle for Butler. She left early in the sixth but then re-entered later in the same inning and stayed into the seventh. Alex Johnson (4R, 0ER, 4H) faced five batters in the middle of the sixth. Kate Murray (2-1) relieved Berger in the seventh, finished the game, and took the loss. In 1.2 innings she allowed one run on two hits with one walk with three strikeouts.
 
Game 2: WKU 9, Butler 0 (5 innings)
 
Western Kentucky got on the board early, using six hits to score five runs in the second inning. In the fourth, the Hilltoppers added four additional runs on six hits. The score was 9-0 going into the fifth.
 
With the game on the line, Butler was unable to generate any threatening offense in its fifth and final frame.
 
Katie Petran (1-3) started and pitched into the fourth inning, taking the loss. She allowed seven runs in 3.0 innings on 10 hits and one walk while striking out a pair. Kate Murray (1.0-IP, 2R, 4H) provided relief early in the fourth inning and finished the game.
 
Bulldog Bits

• The home run by Kendall Graves vs. Detroit Mercy was a career first.
• With a double vs. Detroit Mercy, Olivia Roberts has two this season and three in her career.

Up Next
Butler will remain in Bowling Green, Ky., for day two of the Hilltopper Classic. The Bulldogs will face Western Michigan on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET (10 a.m. CT) followed by a rematch with Detroit Mercy at 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m.).