Bridget Paine Ties Home Run Record In Butler Win

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – Senior shortstop Bridget Paine slugged her school-record 11th home run of the season and Butler held on to post a 5-4 victory over visiting Wright State in the final game of a three-game Horizon League series at the Butler Softball Field on Wednesday, April 21.  The win lifted the Bulldogs to 35-11 on the season and 11-5 in league play.

Paine launched a two-run shot over the centerfield fence to spark a three-run third inning for the Bulldogs.  The round-tripper tied the school record set by teammate Erin Falkenberry a year ago.  It was Paine’s 19th career home run.

Butler jumped to a 4-0 lead in the contest, and the Bulldogs led 5-1 after five innings.  But the Raiders (18-23, 9-6 HL) rallied with two runs off of starter Jenny Esparza in the sixth inning and a third run off of relief pitcher Jennifer Chasteen in the seventh, before Paine recorded the game’s final out on a ground ball in the final frame.

Paine had a pair of doubles to go with her home run, fueling Butler’s 11-hit attack.  Senior Annie Dolan and sophomore Lauren McNulty each added a pair of hits for the Bulldogs.

Esparza, who added to her school-record for victories, improved to 17-4 on the season with the win.  She allowed just four hits in five innings of work.  Chasteen picked up her first save of the season.  The win snapped Wright State’s five-game winning streak.

The Bulldogs, playing at home for the final time this season, improved to 12-4 at the Butler Softball Field in 2010.  Head coach Jeanne Rayman will take her squad on the road for its final six regular season games, beginning with a three-game set at first place Cleveland State, April 24-25.