BUTLER TWP — Meet the Butler softball team.

They are potent, poised — and winning.

The Golden Tornado squandered a four-run lead only to wrest it back with three runs in the fifth inning and another insurance run in the sixth on the way to a 9-5 win over Fox Chapel in their home opener Thursday.

"We have a little more spunk about us this year," said Butler coach Lyndsay Millea. "Some of it has been the freshmen. We do have a want-to-win attitude this year and we have the personnel to do it."

Butler certainly has the lineup.

Seven of the nine starters collected at least one hit. Leadoff batter Karen Cumberledge was hitless, but she reached base twice.

Last year's leader in average, Jenna Geibel, went 1-for-4 but it mattered little as Erica Thrower went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Karra White, batting ninth, went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI.

"It's presenting us with more opportunities," Millea said. "We can be more aggressive on the bases and take more chances defensively because we can put the ball in play. We're created more errors for the other team because we're hitting the ball harder."

Butler showed off its potent lineup early.

After falling behind 1-0, the Golden Tornado scored five times in the bottom of the third inning on four hits and some aggressive baserunning.

White got things started with a double and later scored on a sharp single by Olivia Vasey.

Later in the inning, Geibel scored when she slid around a tag at the plate by Fox Chapel catcher Ashley Hauser.

If there was an extra base to take, the Golden Tornado took it.

Still, Fox Chapel pulled even with two runs in the top of the fourth and fifth innings. Only one of those runs was earned.

Butler made three errors, but, for the most part, it played brilliant defense behind pitcher Stacy Reges.

"We know we can play defense now," Millea said. "I feel confident in all 12 of my players defensively."

That's a good thing because Reges is not the typical strikeout softball pitcher.

Reges fanned just two batters and walked five, but surrendered only two earned runs, thanks to the defense behind her.

Fox Chapel starter Sara Bugaski wasn't as fortunate, giving up five runs, four earned, but she got a no-decision.

Chelsea Dabrowski relieved her in the third and gave up Butler's final four runs for the loss.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Butler scored three times, the big blow coming on White's two-run double. The Golden Tornado tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth on a run-scoring double by Thrower.

"It was a big section win for us," Millea said. "Every win in this section is big."

And it came at a refurbished home.

The temporary outfield wall, which, as one Butler player observed, would have been blown down during the game, was replaced by permanent fencing. Both benches also received a temporary awning that resembled a bus stop.

Fox Chapel 010 220 0—5 9 1Butler 005 031 x—9 11 3W: Stacy Reges 7 IP (2 K, 5 BB).

L: Chelsea Dabrowski 3 1/3 IP (2 K, 0 BB).

Fox Chapel (1-4, 1-4): Dabrowski 2B, 1B; Amber Calesnick 2-1B; Ashley Hauser 1B; Kelsey Matisiko RBI; Alicia Haley 2-1B; Morgan Matisiko 1B; Mel Deutsch 1B, RBI

Butler (2-2, 1-2): Olivia Vasey 2-1B, RBI; Jenna Geibel 1B; Erica Thrower 1B, 2-2B, 2-RBI; Sadie Marak 1B, RBI; Brenna McPherson 1B, RBI; Amy STeinheiser 1B, RBI; Karra White 2-2B, 2-RBI

Today: Butler at North Hills