Bulldogs Gain Second-Day Split At APSU Classic

CLARKSVILLE, TENN. -- Jennifer Chasteen pitched five shutout innings and Butler held off a late rally to hand host Austin Peay a 3-2 setback on the second day of the Play It Again Sports/Austin Peay Classic in Clarksville, Tenn., on Saturday (Feb. 20).  Earlier in the day, the Bulldogs dropped a 2-0 decision to Chattanooga.

Chasteen, who missed all of last season with injury, blanked the Lady Govs on three hits through the first five innings of the game.  The junior righthander had three strikeouts and no walks, while recording her first victory since 2008.

Austin Peay mounted a rally in the top of the seventh inning and scored two runs on a one-out double by Brittany Smith.  But sophomore Breanna Fisher retired two straight batters on a fly ball and a foul ball to preserve the Butler victory and earn her second career save.

Butler scored an unearned run in the first inning.  Senior Annie Dolan was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a single by freshman Jenny Esparza.  Senior Bridget Paine reached on a error on Austin Peay rightfielder Jessica Chernak, and Dolan scored on the play.

The Bulldogs added runs in the third and fourth innings on solo home runs by Paine and freshman Meaghan Sullivan.

Senior Melissa Shofroth led Butler’s seven-hit attack against the Lady Govs with two hits in three trips to the plate.

Earlier in the day, the Bulldogs were blanked on one hit against Chattanooga.  Sophomore Erin Falkenberry singled in the second inning for Butler’s only hit off winning pitcher Brooke Loudermilk.  Esparza went the distance for the Bulldogs, allowing two runs on just two hits, while striking out seven.  The loss was Butler’s second in the tournament to Chattanooga.

The Bulldogs will conclude play in the APSU Classic on Sunday with a game against Tennessee State.