CINCINNATI – The Bulldogs picked up an important win on Thursday afternoon with a 10-3 victory over Xavier at Hayden Field. Jeff Schank tossed eight full innings of action to record the win on the mound and Ryan Wojciechowski paced the offense with a season-high six RBIs.

Schank was able to cruise through eight innings of action after getting run support through the first three innings of the contest. Michael Fries put BU on the scoreboard first with a sac fly and a throwing error by the Musketeer catcher would boost the advantage to 2-0 in the top of the second inning.

The third inning was a huge swing of momentum for Butler as Ryan Wojciechowski put the Bulldogs in the driver's seat by clearing the bases with a grand slam. BU loaded the bases by only collecting one hit with Austin Miller reaching base after being hit by a pitch and Tyler Houston joining his teammates on base after being walked. Wojo stepped to the dish surrounded by Bulldogs and the first baseman delivered the biggest hit of the game with a shot over the left field wall.

The Musketeers would get two runs back in the bottom half of the third, but Miller wouldn't let the home team grab the momentum back as he slammed a homer to left field to lead off the fourth. Scoring would stay the same until the sixth when Wojciechowski would add to his RBI total with a two-run double down the right field line. The extra-base hit broke the single-season doubles record at Butler giving the senior 20 total on the year. Wojciechowski ended the contest 2-for-4 with six RBIs and two runs scored. He walked during his first at-bat and was eventually taken out of the lineup for defensive purposes. 

Each team would add one more run to their total in the eighth, but the game was already in hand with Butler picking up the first game of the series. Schank was on-point for the 'Dawgs limiting the Musketeers to just six hits over his eight frames. All three runs were earned against the sophomore, but he only walked two while striking out four. Schank's day was done after the eighth as Butler placed Bobby Napoleon on the bump for the ninth. Napoleon moved quick, only allowing one hit, to get Butler to the finish line.

With game one in the books, it's time to take a look at Friday's forecast which has shifted the schedule to a noon start tomorrow instead of 3 p.m. The possibility of a doubleheader may be in play due to an 80% chance of rain on Saturday. Please check ButlerSports.com for any additional updates.

*All Friday BIG EAST contests have been changed to doubleheaders*

BIG EAST Scoreboard
Butler 10, Xavier 3
Seton Hall 2, Georgetown 1
Creighton 13, Villanova 5
St. John's - Bye