BUTLER TWP — Hempfield softball coach Bob Kalp was not looking forward to the trip to Butler.

The last time his Spartans took on the Golden Tornado, it ended with a tense 3-2 win in extra innings.

“They outplayed us,” Kalp said of that meeting April 10. “We were fortunate to win.”

That gave Kalp trepidation Wednesday afternoon when his team disembarked the bus at Butler High School.

Kalp said it's been a common theme for teams in Butler's section.

The Golden Tornado are no easy out.

Kalp's concerns were soon dashed.

Hempfield (11-5, 9-3) scored two runs in the first inning, led 5-0 after three and cruised to a 10-0, six-inning win over Butler.

The Golden Tornado (4-9, 3-9) had won three of their last four games, which made the loss to Hempfield even more perplexing for first-year Butler coach Cait Baxter.

“We come off a big win last week against Pine-Richland, a very close game against (North Allegheny), 3-1, and we beat Fox Chapel, but that right there was not Butler softball,” Baxter said. “We're competitive in the section, I feel like. There were a lot of things (Wednesday) we could have done better.”

Butler pitcher Shelly Barnett has been brilliant as of late with three shutout wins in her last four outings, but Hempfield fared well against her.

Laura Fox set the tone in the very first at-bat, falling behind in the count and fouling off good pitch after good pitch before finally lacing a double.

Fox went 4-for-4 with four runs scored.

“I told them if they weren't focused mentally, they'd be in trouble against this team,” Kalp said. “They went toe-to-toe with NA. I thought our kids did a good job today and Foxy got us going with that great first at-bat.”

Barnett lasted just three innings before yielding to Emma Marak, who was just returning from balky knees.

“They were on us. They came in ready to go,” Baxter said. “They knew the competitive team Butler is, so I feel like they came in and jumped on us right away. It's a learning experience.

“It was almost like everyone had a bad day at the same time,” Baxter added.

Except for Makenna Negley.

She was one bright spot for Butler. Negley singled in the bottom of the first inning and doubled in the bottom of the fourth for the only two Butler hits against Hempfield starter Callie Sowers.

Sowers had Butler off-balance with a slow changeup that paired nicely with her lively fastball.

“When she gets control over that (changeup), she's a pretty good pitcher,” Kalp said. “She's only a sophomore. She's still learning. She's getting better and better. If she pitches well, we have a great shot at beating people.”

Baxter feels like Butler is making progress and has a shot at beating people, despite the hiccup against Hempfield.

“We've been trying to make this team competitive again and I think we have,” Baxter said. “The section definitely knows we're not an automatic win anymore. That right there is a win in itself. But you want those wins on the scoreboard.That's what's going to take you to the next level and get you into the playoffs.”

Hempfield 203 212 x — 10 12 0

Butler 000 000 x — 0 2 2

W: Callie Sowers 6IP (8K, 0BB). L: Shelly Barnett 3IP (1K, 1BB).

Hempfield (11-5, 9-3): Laura Fox 2B 3-1B, Jessica Persin 1B 2B 2-RBI, Emma Hoffner 2B 1B 3-RBI, Ashley Orischak HR RBI, Olivia Persin 1B, Kelsi Terzolino 1B, Emma Glosner 1B

Butler (4-9, 3-9): Makenna Negley 1B 2B

Thursday: Norwin at Butler