CLEARWATER, Fla. – Seven innings wasn't enough for La Salle softball (5-10) on Sunday morning against Butler (9-16) as the Bulldogs defeated the Explorers, 6-5, in eight innings.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Butler jumped in front in the bottom of the first with an RBI double that put the Bulldogs up, 1-0.
• La Salle took the lead in the second inning after plating two runs. Junior Courtney Shupp singled to center to drive in sophomore Ashley Mendenhall. Two batters later, freshman Mackenzie Vogler sent and RBI base hit to the outfield to drive in Shupp.
• The Bulldogs responded in the bottom half of the innings, matching the Explorers total from the second for a 3-2 lead.
• In the third, senior Emma Schweigert put La Salle back into the lead with one swing of the bat. With two away in the top half, the senior launched a two-run shot for her second homer of the season.
• The Explorers added a run in the sixth to push the lead to 5-3. Junior Emily Conaway singled, driving in rookie Audrey LaBouliere.
• Butler added two in the sixth to knot things up, forcing extras. La Salle went down in order in the top half of the eighth and the Bulldogs scored the game winner on a sacrifice fly.

INSIDE THE CIRCLE:

• Freshman Cailey Joyce (3-4) pitched the complete game and allowed five earned runs on 15 hits and one walk. The rookie struck out two on the day.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Mendenhall and Vogler led the team with a pair of hits each. Mendenhall recorded a double and a run scored, while Vogler walked and drove in a run.
• Schweigert was 1-for-4 with the long ball, a pair of RBIs, and a run scored.
• Shupp, Rios, and Conaway all recorded a hit. Conaway and Shupp plated a run, with Rios and Shupp each scoring once.

UP NEXT:
La Salle is set to travel to city rival Penn on Wednesday for a double header. First game is slated for 3 p.m.