BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Indiana State committed three errors and allowed three runs late as the Sycamores dropped a 6-4 decision to Butler in the first game of the Hilltopper Classic at Western Kentucky.
 
Leslie Sims led the Sycamores (5-2) with a 3-for-4 performance with two stolen bases and two runs scored. Bailey Martin, who was 2-for-3 in the game, also swiped two bases. Indiana State entered the weekend ranked 11^th nationally in stolen bases.
 
Despite allowing three runs and committing two errors in the first inning, the Sycamores slowly battled back to a 3-3 tie with Butler (5-6) thanks to a Shaye Barton solo home run in the second and a Bella Peterson RBI single in the third. ISU would take the lead in the fifth as Sims would score on a Brooke Mann RBI fielder's choice. But Butler would respond in the bottom half of the inning with a two-run home run to regain the lead. An RBI single in the sixth would add one for insurance for the Bulldogs
 
Arielle Blankenship (3-2) was charged with the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits in 3 1/3 innings in relief. Kaitlin Doud (1-2), also pitching in relief, received the win after allowing just one run on four hits in 4 1/3 innings in the circle.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Leslie Sims gets the nod as the Sycamore Blue blur stole two bases in the game for her seventh and eighth steals of the season, respectively. Sims recorded a season-high three hits, scored two runs for the third time this season and has now played in 92 consecutive games without being thrown out on the base paths.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
The three errors Indiana State committed led to two unearned runs and are the most errors the team has committed so far this season.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Kaitlin Doud, Butler (1-2)
• Loss: Arielle Blankenship, Indiana State (3-2)
• Save: None

RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 5-2 (3-1 Neutral)
• Butler: 5-6 (5-6 Neutral)

NOTABLES

• Indiana State is now 27-19 all-time against Butler and has won three of the past five meetings.
• Leslie Sims stole two bases in the game. This marks the second time this season she has stolen multiple bases and she is currently 8-for-8 on the base paths. She has now played in 92 consecutive games without being caught stealing.
• Bailey Martin also stole two bases in the contest, tying a career-high mark for the senior. She previously stole two bases in a game against IUPUI on Feb. 24, 2017.
• The three errors committed are the most ISU has committed in a single game early on this season.
• Shaye Barton hit her first home run of the season. It is the fourth home run of her career.

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