Green Bay Moves Past Butler, 3-2, on Game-Ending Error

CLEVELAND - No. 5 Green Bay (27-19) slips past No. 6 Butler (36-19), 3-2, in Game 6 of the 2010 Horizon League Softball Championship.  The Phoenix advance to play No. 4 Valparaiso in Game 8 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Butler is eliminated from the tournament after suffering its second loss.

Green Bay posted the game’s first run in the bottom of the third inning as senior Krissy Hanson poked an infield single up the middle, driving in teammateMelani Niederer for the 1-0 advantage.

The Phoenix held on to the 1-0 lead until the top of the sixth inning.  It was then that Bulldog senior Bridget Paine drove a two-run triple to right field, sending home seniors Jen Arriaga and Annie Dolan. Butler owned a slim 2-1 edge heading in to the bottom of the seventh.

Green Bay was down to its final out of the game when senior Katie Cooney hit a pop-up shot to shallow left field, which was dropped.  The Butler error allowed for Jenna Nitti and Niederer to scamper home, sealing the 3-2 Green Bay triumph.

Both starting pitchers displayed outstanding performances, combing for 17 strikeouts.  Butler’s Jenny Esparza allowed a mere five hits through 6.2 innings while striking out eight batters.  Green Bay’s Cooney notched the complete-game win with nine strikeouts, allowing just four hits.

Game 7 features No. 1 Cleveland State against No. 2 Wright State.  The winner will advance to the Championship match on Saturday. The loser will move down to Game 9 and play the winner of No. 4 Valparaiso vs. No. 5 Green Bay.