Box Score

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A six-run third inning helped Butler defeat Fort Wayne on Tuesday afternoon by the final score of 10-3. The Mastodons scored the first two runs of the game in the opening two innings, but the 'Dawgs responded with a big third inning and added insurance runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth.
 
An RBI single in the bottom of the first put Fort Wayne out in front 1-0 and the Mastodons would double their lead with a solo home run in the second.
 
The third inning would change the outcome of the game with Butler posting six runs off four hits. Tyler Houston got things going with a double to centerfield that moved Zach Jarosz all the way around to third. Garrett Christman would advance each runner and put BU on the scoreboard with a sac fly to right field.
 
After the first out of the inning, Michael Hartnagel would draw a four-pitch walk. A pitching change would occur shortly after, but the new arm would get in trouble immediately with Gehrig Parker dialing in for an RBI double to right center.
 
Two more runs would come home after a base hit from Jordan Lucio. Hartnagel scored easily from third and the throw to the plate would be too late to get Parker. Lucio would move into scoring position on the throw home.
 
Harrison Freed would follow in the lineup after getting the starting nod in left field. He would fly out to center, but the finishing touches would be put on the third inning with Sam Russo hitting his first home run of the season. The two-run shot gave Butler the 6-2 advantage.
 
Hartnagel came up with an RBI single back up the middle of the field in the sixth and BU would score again in the top of the seventh after an RBI from Russo.
 
The scoring for Butler would round out in the eighth with Freed sending a ball back up the middle of the diamond for two RBI. Parker and Hartnagel would each cross home plate.
 
Hartnagel would extend his hitting streak to 14 games after going 3-for-4 at Fort Wayne with an RBI and two runs scored. The bottom of the order did most of the heavy lifting on Tuesday with Lucio, Freed and Russo combining for seven RBI.
 
It was a staff day for the BU arms as eight different student athletes took the mound. Quentin Miller got the start and pitched the first two innings of competition. Danny Pobereyko took over and threw two innings himself.
 
Kevin Napoleon, Jack Pilcher, River Pitlock, Sam Hubbe, Brock Balderson and Chris Myjak would keep the BU lead intact. The win moves Butler's overall record to 22-9.
 
Attention will now shift to St. John's with Butler hosting the Red Storm in BIG EAST action. With Easter around the corner, the three-game series will get underway on Thursday and come to a close on Saturday. The first two games will start at 4 PM with the finale set for 1 PM.