Sophomore Casey Crozier (above) scattered seven hits and struck out six, but the Youngstown State softball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Butler in the first round of the Horizon League Tournament at the Valparaiso Softball Field.

Crozier was out-dueled by Butler’s Leah Bry, who allowed just three hits to the league’s top offense and struck out four.

Senior Jordan Ingalls, junior Caroline Krombach and sophomore Sarah Ingalls each collected hits for the Penguins.

The Penguins fall to 28-20-1 and will play the loser of the No. 6 Green Bay-No. 2 Loyola contest, Thursday, at 5 p.m. (EDT). The Bulldogs improve to 24-30 and advance to play top-seeded Valparaiso, Thursday, at Noon (EDT).

Butler’s Erin Falkenberry hit a solo home run in the top of the second and that is all the offense Bry needed.

The Bulldogs added runs in the top of the fourth and top of the seventh to seal the victory.