Butler Advances Past UIC, 4-1, In Game 2 of the Horizon League Softball Championship

CLEVELAND - In the second game of the 2010 Horizon League Softball Championship, No. 6 seed Butler (36-17) downed No. 3 seed UIC (22-34), 4-1, after 11 innings of play. Butler moves on to play No. 2 seed Wright State in Game 4 of the conference tournament.

Butler pitcher Jenny Esparza once again proved her dominance on the mound as she struck out 22 total batters, allowing a mere four hits and one run.

The Bulldogs struck first on an Erin Falkenberry RBI single, driving in teammate Lauren McNulty to give Butler an early 1-0 edge in the first inning.  McNulty led off the contest with single to right field before advancing to second base after a sacrifice bunt by senior Annie Dolan.  

The game remained 1-0, until UIC sophomore Kelsey Sturgeon bombed her first career home run to left center in the seventh inning, sending the game into extra innings at 1-1.

In the bottom of the ninth, UIC sophomore Ashley Hewett drove a shot deep to center field which came up a few feet short from being a walk off home run.  However, her double plus a walk by Carly DeMarco were left stranded as Esparza retired the final batter of the inning.

The top of the 11th provided Butler with an offensive explosion and ultimately the win.  Bulldog senior Bridget Paine produced an RBI double to left field just before Falkenberry crushed her eighth homer of the season, securing the 4-1 triumph.

Game 3 features No. 1 Cleveland State vs. No. 4 Valparaiso.  The Crusaders defeated No. 5 Green Bay in the tournament's first contest by a score of 4-0.  Green Bay awaits the loser of No. 2 Wright State and No. 6 Butler.