INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Villanova Wildcats dropped Friday's contest against the Butler Bulldogs, falling 2-0 in a seven-inning affair to even the series at one each.

Kat Gallant received the loss for Villanova (20-17, 6-5 BIG EAST) after striking out three and allowing two runs during four innings in the circle. Peyton Schnackenberg tossed two frames in relief with just one baserunner allowed. 

Offensively, the 'Cats mustered a hit in five of the seven stanzas, but could not bring anybody across the plate. Chloe Smith knocked the lone extra base-hit with a double, while Dani Dabroski, Ava Franz, Ally Jones and Victoria Sebastian each contributed a single.

The Bulldogs got on the board in the opening frame, as a two-out solo shot brought the BU advantage to 1-0 for the only run support they needed.

Butler loaded the bases to lead off the second stanza, using a walk and a pair of singles to put ducks on the pond, but Gallant got a flyout, strikeout and a foulout to keep the VU deficit to one.

BU added to its edge in the third, with a single, walk and RBI double bringing a second run across before Gallant ended the threat with a popout and strikeout.

The Wildcats got the leadoff batter aboard in the fourth as Smith blasted the first pitch of the inning into the left field corner for a stand-up double. Smith moved up to third on a groundout, but VU could not bring her around as a lineout and flyout ended the chance.

Neither squad could muster any baserunners in the fifth, nor could VU get anyone aboard in inning six. Butler had a leadoff single in that frame, but Schnackenberg picked up three straight outs to give her team the chance to extend the game with two or take a lead.

After a strikeout and well-hit ball by Franz that resulted in a lineout, Sebastian rocketed a pitch to second base that got through for a base hit before Sydney Hayes was hit by a pitch to make it two aboard. But the 'Cats could not break through, as a groundout ended the contest to force a grudge match on Saturday.