End of the line for YSU softball; Butler wins, 3-1

CHICAGO — The Youngstown State softball team was eliminated from the Horizon League softball championship on Friday after dropping a 3-1 decision to Butler at the Loyola Softball Field.

The Penguins finished’ the season with a 12-37 overall record while Butler improves to 17-28.

Senior Becky Hibner took the hard-luck scattering nine hits and not allowing a walk. The Penguins’ offense, however, could only muster five hits off Butler starter Jen Chasteen.

The Bulldogs struck first in the bottom of the fourth after a misplayed double to center field by Jennifer Jacobs scored Alex Boros, who singled up the middle.

In the bottom of the fifth, Amy Hyerczyk’s two-out ground-rule double plated Lauren Ott and then scored on Jen Arriaga’s single to center field.

The Penguins got on the board in the top of the sixth when Katy Potokar singled- up the middle scored Rochelle Vanyi, who doubled, to cut the lead to 3-1.

In the top of the seventh, Autumn Grove, who went 2-for-3, led off the inning with a single but was stranded at first.