ROSEMONT, Ill. – IUPUI softball dropped both games to start its season on Friday (Feb. 8), dropping an extra inning game to Western Illinois and falling in six innings to Butler.

In the first game of the day, IUPUI (0-2) took a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning after Kristin London singled home Haley Ginger, who had doubled earlier in the inning. Western Illinois tied the game in the top of the seventh with its second solo home run of the game to send the game in to extras.

In the top of the eighth, the Leathernecks hit two more solo home runs to grab a two run lead.  Emily Berrisford led off the bottom of the inning with a single as the Jags looked to mount a comeback but two strikeouts and a fly out ended the Jags hope.

Delaney Thompson had the best day at the play for the Jags against Western Illinois going 2-for-3 and scoring the first run of the day after Delainey Turner singled in the fifth inning.

Despite picking up the loss, freshman Lexi Lucas threw a complete game allowing just six hits and one walk over eight innings, while striking out three.

Things started slow in game two of the day for IUPUI as the Jags took on Butler but the Bulldogs jumped on IUPUI starter Dezirae Leonard in the third and fourth innings, scoring six runs and knocking Leonard out of the ballgame. Butler would score one more run on both the fifth and sixth inning to end the game due to the eight-run rule.

Berrisford led the Jaguar offense with two hits in three plate appearances and Mandy Dallas reached base in all three appearances, drawing three walks. The Jaguars managed only five this and had chances but could not capitalize, leaving seven runners on base.

IUPUI will play two more games tomorrow (Feb. 9) in the Total Control Sports Invitational, taking on UMKC at 10 a.m. before facing off against Western Illinois again at 12:30 p.m.