GAME NOTES | FACEBOOK LIVE (Game 1 Only)
INDIANAPOLIS – Butler and Fort Wayne will renew their rivalry this weekend in a three-game series at Bulldog Park. The 2018 home opener is slated for Friday at 3 PM. The contest will stream on Facebook Live.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, March 9 – 3 PM (
Live Stats)
Saturday, March 10 – 1 PM (
Live Stats)
Sunday, March 11 – 1 PM (
Live Stats)
Probable Starters
Friday: LHP
Connor Mitchell vs. RHP Brandon Phelps
Saturday: RHP
Garrett Christman vs. LHP Damian Helm
Sunday: RHP
Ryan Pepiot vs. RHP Shane Odzark
Bulldog Bits
- Butler and Fort Wayne have played each other every season since 2000
- The Bulldogs hold the 13th-best team ERA in the NCAA (2.20)
- The BU bullpen has 42 strikeouts and only nine walks
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Josh Walker pinch-hit for BU vs. Saint Peter's and delivered a hit
- Walker and
Zach Parker each landed on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (3/6)
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Garrett Christman has a team-high six multi-RBI games this season
- Christman leads the team with 17 RBI with just three extra base hits (18 RBI in '17)
- Christman is batting .565 with runners on base, .400 on the year (14-35)
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Michael Hartnagel and
James Gargano have reached base in 11-straight games
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Tyler Houston leads the team with 15 hits and 24 total bases
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Gehrig Parker, Houston, Hartnagel, Gargano and Christman have started every game
- Freshman
Jacob Margroff posts a .714 on-base percentage
BIG EAST Standings
1) BUTLER 10-1
2) ST. JOHN'S 8-1
3) CREIGHTON 6-4
4) SETON HALL 5-5
5) VILLANOVA 3-6
6) XAVIER 3-9
7) GEORGETOWN 1-10
What A Start
Butler tied the school record for consecutive wins in a single-season by winning their first nine games. The 'Dawgs are off to one of the best starts in school history as they head into their home opener with a 10-1 overall record. Seven different Bulldogs have a win on the mound. The team ERA is down to 2.20 and the team batting average rests at .290.
Parker Placed on BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Zach Parker went 4-for-4 with five RBI, two doubles and three runs in a 2-1 weekend for Butler. In the second game against Saint Peter's, he had one double, a triple and a walk with all five RBI. Both wins came against Saint Peter's, the loss was to Pitt.
Walker Lands on BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Josh Walker came out of the bullpen in game one of the three-game weekend series to earn his first win of the season with seven strikeouts and no walks in 3.2 innings of relief work against Saint Peter's.
Home Opener
Butler hasn't lost a home opener since 2011. They defeated Fort Wayne 2-0 in 2017, Marian 15-4 in 2016, Fort Wayne 12-0 in 2015, Marian 4-3 in 2014, Fort Wayne 1-0 in 2013 and Dayton 8-5 in 2012.
Butler vs. Fort Wayne
Butler has won seven of the last 10 meetings vs. Fort Wayne. The 'Dawgs swept the regular season series against the Mastodons in 2017 by winning 2-0 and 13-3 at home and later on posting a 10-3 win at Fort Wayne.
Scouting Fort Wayne
The Mastodons are 3-7 overall with wins over Alabama A&M, Little Rock and Murray State. Brandon Phelps is the ace on the staff, while Travis Upp leads the team at the plate. Phelps is a 6-1 red-shirt senior with a 2-0 record. The right-hander leads the team with 15 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched. Offensively, Fort Wayne has three players batting over .300. Upp leads the team at .387 with 12 hits in 31 at-bats. Red-shirt sophomore Robert Young III has been an impact player for Head Coach Bobby Pierce this season. The Indianapolis product has three home runs, a triple and a double to go along with his .286 batting average.
Finish Strong
Butler has outscored opponents 27-4 over the final three innings this season.
Up Next
Mid-week games will appear on Butler's schedule for the first time this season. BU will play at Northern Kentucky on March 13. The following day they will host Ball State at 4 PM. The weekend series will be played at Western Michigan (3/16-3/18).
