Butler Splits Horizon League Doubleheader

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. -- Senior Bridget Paine drove in three runs and junior Jennifer Chasteen turned in a complete-game pitching performance to lead Butler to a 7-1 victory over UIC in the first game of a Horizon League doubleheader at the Butler Softball Field on Saturday (April 10).  The visiting Flames took the nightcap, 5-0.

Paine sparked a six-run, sixth inning for the Bulldogs with a two-run single.  The big inning broke open a game that was deadlocked for five and a half innings.  Paine also drove in Butler’s first run in the game with an infield ground ball.

Chasteen gave up just five hits and one unearned run in the game, while recording her 12th win in 14 decisions.  She blanked the Flames over the final four innings and set the visitors down in order in the top of the seventh inning, after Butler had taken the lead.  The Butler righthander had two strikeouts and just one walk in the victory.

Sophomores Erin Falkenberry and Lauren McNulty began Butler’s decisive sixth inning with back-to-back walks.  Meaghan Sullivan followed with a single and Falkenberry scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error on the play.  Devin Dearing then drove in McNulty with a single.

Mallory Winters walked to load the bases, and two outs later, Annie Dolan walked to force in Butler’s third run of the inning.  Paine’s single drove in two more, and an infield error by UIC plated Butler’s final run in the rally.

UIC pitcher Ashley Hewitt handcuffed the Bulldogs on three hits in the second game.  The Flames’ righthander had five strikeouts and just two walks in the complete-game effort.  UIC scored single runs in the first, third and sixth innings and then added two more off of Butler starter Breanna Fisher in the seventh.

The split left Butler at 30-9 on the season, while UIC ended the day at 9-25.  The two team will conclude their three-game series with a single game on Sunday (April 11) at 12 noon.