AUBURN, Ala. - Appalachian State University softball played its first doubleheader of the 2016 season on Friday and came up short in both games. Butler defeated the Black and Gold during the day, 12-6, and Western Kentucky had the upper hand in the nightcap, 8-4.

App State fell to 0-3 overall while Butler improved to 2-0 and the Hilltoppers earned their first victory of the season before taking on No. 4 Auburn tonight. A trio of Mountaineers had three-hit days including Natalie Orcutt (3-for-4), Jenny Dodd (3-for-6) and Cara Parker (3-for-7).

"We showed a lot of improvement today, specifically from the first game to the second," said head coach Janice Savage. "Both of the teams we saw today are capable of doing some damage this year, especially Western Kentucky. That team is coming off of its best season in program history and we were able to hang with them, which was good to see. We're heading in the right direction and that's what we need the most right now."

Game One: Butler 12, App State 6

The Bulldogs started the scoring with a run in the top of the first, but Appalachian was able to get it back in the bottom half. Tiffany Taynor doubled to left field, Orcutt moved her over with a single of her own and one out later, Taynor came across on Cara Parker's groundout to the shortstop.

In the bottom of the third, the Apps took their first lead of the season and did it with a pair of runs to go up 3-1. Taynor started the rally once again, this time with a walk, and one out later, Ally Walters walked as well before Parker brought them both in with a single to left.

However, Butler proceeded to score two in the fourth, four in the fifth and five more in the seventh to take a commanding 12-3 advantage. In the bottom of the seventh, Appalachian was able to cut it to six as it was in the final score, but it was too little too late. In that scoring run, Parker had an RBI single and Dodd notched a two-run double to to left center.

In the circle, Claire Eosso lasted 2.1 innings with one earned on two hits, four walks and one strikeout. In relief, Vanessa Ciocatto (0-1) took the loss with 3.2 innings of work, six runs, five earned on five hits to go with four free passes and two punchouts. Katherine Johnson also got in the game with one inning, five runs, one earned, on five hits, one strikeout and one walk.

Game Two: Western Kentucky 8, App State 4

Western Kentucky tallied three runs in the bottom of the first, but much like game one of the day, the Black and Gold didn't go down without a fight. They pulled within one, 3-2, with a couple runs in the third.

Megan Walker singled up the middle and Taynor moved her over with a sacrifice bunt before Orcutt walked and Parker was hit by a pitch to load them up for Dodd. The freshman came through once again and did so with a two-run single down the left field line. However, in the bottom of that frame, the Hilltoppers added two more to go up 5-2.

In the top of the fourth though, Walker reached on a fielder's choice, Taynor singled her over and she would later score on a wild pitch to make it 5-3. Western Kentucky then made it 6-3 in the home half and later 8-3 with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Apps only got one of those back to make the score 8-4 in the end.

Katie Williford (0-1) got her first start of the season and went 2.2 innings with five runs, four earned, on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts. In relief, Eosso went the final 3.1 innings with three earned, five hits, three walks and one strikeout.

App State plays only once on Saturday against Furman with first pitch set for 6:30 ET.