INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs took a 5-3 lead into the ninth inning on Thursday afternoon, but a four-run outbreak from St. John's would give the Red Storm a 7-5 win at Victory Field. Tyler Houston highlighted the day for Butler with a 4-for-4 performance from the plate.

Houston was terrific in the BIG EAST opener going 4-for-4 with two singles, a double and a triple. The true freshman scored two runs and added an RBI to his stat line. Austin Miller was yet another Bulldog to end the day with a multi-hit game. Miller hit ninth in the order and supplied Butler with two hits in his four at-bats.

Houston, Ryan Wojciechowski, Michael Fries, and Garrett Christman all recorded an RBI against the Red Storm, but the ninth inning would tell the overall story as STJ moves to 1-0 in conference action.

The ninth got underway with a lead-off walk and a single to left field would signal the end of the day for relief pitcher Luke Johnson. Josh Goldberg took over to face the top of the order and his outing was a rough one. Alex Caruso loaded the bases with a bunt single and the first run of the inning would come home moments later as Goldberg hit Michael Donadio.

A walk from Goldberg followed the hit by pitch to tie the game and Head Coach Steve Farley was forced to make yet another pitching change with no outs in the inning. Farley went with senior Kyle Allen in attempt to get out of the inning with a tie, but Robbie Knightes came up with a two RBI single to left that gave the Johnnies a two-run cushion.

Butler's attempt to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth started well as pinch hitter Chris Marras was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Coach Farley went with a pinch runner, substituting Brodie Meyer for Marras to give BU some more speed on the base paths.

Butler's strategy didn't pay off as a hard hit ball down the right field line would be caught by Matt Harris and the first baseman stepped on the bag to turn the unassisted double play. With momentum on his side, closer Thomas Hackimer struck out Drew Small to end the game.

Butler and St. John's will return to action tomorrow when the Bulldogs host the Johnnies at 3 p.m. Action will be moved back to Bulldog Park for the final two games of the series.