FORT WAYNE – IPFW scored a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Butler on Wednesday afternoon. The victory evened the regular season series at 1-1 with each team winning on their home field.

The difference in today's outcome came in crunch time with IPFW pushing the game-winning run across in the ninth. Butler hit a snag right after a pitching change as Shannon Baker reached on a fielding error. Baker quickly moved to second base after a sacrifice bunt and two batters later Brandon Soat would end the game with a base hit to left.

The low scoring affair could have ended much differently as each team placed a runner on third base in the first inning. Butler stranded Drew Small at third after Small opened up the game with a double to centerfield.

IPFW countered by putting runners on the corners after back-to-back singles in the bottom half of the inning. Quentin Miller would get out of trouble by getting a groundout back to the mound.

Butler also made some noise in the top of the fifth with two outs in the inning. Connor Dall singled to left then stole second base to move into scoring position. After a walked batter, BU had runners on first and second with Michael DiViesti at the dish.

DiViesti sent a base hit into left field, but Dall was held up at third base. IPFW would make a pitching change with the bases loaded and Adam Neal would enter the game and get a groundout for the Mastodons to keep the game scoreless.

Butler was limited to just four hits on the day as Dan Busch rounded out the total after entering the game in leftfield late in the contest. IPFW scattered seven hits over the diamond after facing seven different Butler pitchers.

Miller got the start and tossed three full innings before handing the ball over to Danny Pobereyko. The staff day came into full force as the rest of the arms all exited the game after one inning. Zach Barnes was hit with the loss (2-3) while Jake Weber came in from the bullpen to pick up his third win of the season for IPFW.

Butler will return to action this weekend with a three-game series at Creighton.