BUTLER TWP — One big inning. One big win.

And perhaps the start of a reversal of Butler varsity softball fortunes.

The Golden Tornado struck for eight runs in the fifth inning against Mt. Lebanon on Monday afternoon, snapping a 1-1 tie and producing a 8-1 home win over the Blue Devil,. The victory snapped a 32-game losing streak for the program, dating back to the 2021 season opener.

“We knew this was in us. We’ve just been waiting for it to come out,” Butler sophomore third baseman Gracie Negley said of the big inning. “It finally happened. This is going to give us a lot of confidence.”

C.J. Gatten, serving as acting head coach for the Golden Tornado, agreed.

“We really needed this,” Gatten said. “I hope this sends a message to all of the girls. We’re not going to be walked on anymore.”

The game was tied at one when Butler (1-3, 1-2) came to bat in the fifth inning. Negley broke the deadlock with a one-out solo homer to center field. It was her first of the season after she belted four the previous year.

But that was just the beginning.

The Tornado sent 12 batters to the plate that frame. Lily Vicari and Kelsey Ogin followed Negley’s home run by drawing walks. Alley Bartley singled to center, loading the bases. Consecutive walks to Mylei Schaefer and Chloe Schoentag forced in two runs. When Shylee Karanbauer was hit by a pitch, another run crossed the plate.

Madi Wolfe delivered a three-run double down the left field line. Negley completed the damage wuith a run-scoring triple to right.

“No. I know I’ve never done that before,” Negley said of hitting a home run and triple in the same inning.

Mt. Lebanon (0-3, 0-2) nearly took the lead in the top of the fifth. Becca Davis singled to left tyo begin the frame. Deidre Flaherty doubled to deep center, Butler’s relay throw to catcher Vicati cutting dwn Davis, who was trying to score on the play.

Winning pitcher Ogin escaped the inning without any damage.

Butler had committed two errors in the fourth inning. A dropped infield fly by Negley to begin the Blue Devils’ third led to teir only run of the game.

“I messed up in the field, but I made up for it in the box,” the third baseman said.

“We’ve been preaching to the girls ... Don’t let one error roll into another,” Gatten said. “We did a good job of that today.”

Ogin kept the Mt. Lebanon bats at bay all day. She scattered five hits and struck out 10 in a route-going performance in the circle. The junior hurler has 51 strikeouts in four games this season.

“I’m always nervous when I go out there,” Ogin admitted. “I know I shouldn’t be, that my teammates are behind me, but that’s just how I am. It felt great to get all of those runs in the fifth.

“I definitely relaxed after that.”

Ogin struck out four and allowed no hits over the final two innings.

“Kelsey has been outstanding for us,” Gatten said. “She’s been consistent. We know we always have a chance with the way she’s been pitching.”

Butler travels to North Allegheny on Tuesday night and is scheduled to host Hempfield Wednesday afternoon.

There’s a different feel with our team this year,“ Negley said. ”Other teams get ready to play us and figure it’s nothing ... it’s just Butler ... that feeling is going to have to change because we’re a different team now.“

Mt. Lebanon 001 000 0 — 1 5 2

Butler 000 180 x — 9 9 3

WP: Kelsey Ogin 7IP (10k, 2bb). LP: Clara Hartnett (4.2IP (4k, 7bb).

Mt. Lebanon (0-3, 0-2): Becca Davis 2-1B, Deidre Flaherty 2B 2-1B RBI.

Butler (1-3, 1-2): Shylee Karenbauer RBI, Madi Wolfe 1B 2B 3-RBI, Gracie Negley HR 3B 2-RBI, Lily Vicari 1B, Kelsey Ogin 1B, Alley Bartley 1B, Mylei Schaefer 1B RBI, Chloe Schoentag 1B 2-RBI.

Tuesday: Butler at North Allegheny