BUTLER TWP — The playoffs were out of reach. A winning season wasn't.

So Seneca Valley grabbed the latter Wednesday, posting a 5-1 softball victory at Butler and spoiling the Golden Tornado's Senior Day.

The win was the third in a row for the Raiders (10-7), lifting them three games above .500 with only two nonsection games remaining this season.

"We're probably going to wind up one win short of a playoff spot when it's all said and done," SV coach George Trew said.

Before rallying to overcome an early 1-0 deficit Wednesday, Seneca Valley failed to score despite getting leadoff singles in the first, second and third innings. In two of those frames, the Raiders had runners in scoring position with less than two outs.

"We've been failing in those situations all year," Trew said.

Sophomore Emily Watson pitched a four-hitter at Butler, striking out six. She fell behind 1-0 in the third, however, when the Tornado's Caitlin Baxter singled to left, moved up on a groundout and scored on Amanda Skidmore's single to right.

The Raiders got even in the fourth inning when Erin Mullen singled to center — her second of three hits — stole second, moved to third and scored on wild pitches.

"My team seemed down today," Butler coach Lori Kline said. "I'm not sure why. They didn't let on or tell me anything. But we weren't ourselves today."

With two outs in the sixth, Watson broke the tie with a towering home run to center field. It was her first of the season and only the Raiders' fourth of the spring.

Four Butler errors in the seventh inning contributed to three unearned runs for Seneca Valley.

The Tornado honored seniors Julie Brenckle, Nikki Hladik, Olivia Hortert and Danielle Lloyd before the game. Because of injuries and illness, Butler (8-7) had only nine available players Wednesday.

"We still want to have a winning season, too," Kline said. "That's within our grasp. But we have to play better. It looked like our girls were playing today like it doesn't matter anymore. That's how I saw it."

Seneca Valley has no seniors on its roster.

"We're playing for momentum toward next year," Trew said. "Two years out of the playoffs is long enough for me. I want to get back there."

Seneca Valley 000 101 3 — 5 8 0Butler 001 000 0 — 1 4 4W: Emily Watson 7 IP (6K, 3BB).

L: Amanda Skidmore 2X\c IP (4K, 1BB).

Seneca Valley (10-7, 4-6): Alyssa DiMaria 2-1B, Erin Mullen 3-1B, Emily Watson HR, Sara Mantick 1B, Alyssa Miller 1B

Butler (8-7, 3-7): Caitlin Baxter 1B, Angie Reddick 1B, Amanda Skidmore 2-1B RBI

Friday: Riverside at Butler

Monday: Seneca Valley at Gateway