INDIANAPOLIS – The third game of the weekend series between Butler and Indiana State went to the Sycamores 6-1. Indiana State posted three runs in the top of the first inning to take control of the contest off a base-clearing 3-RBI double from Clay Dungan. The early advantage would hold throughout the rest of the day giving ISU their 18th win of the year.

The difference in today's game was the two-out double from Dungan in first, however Butler did have two opportunities to score runs early in the game that didn't play out. Solid team defense got the Sycamores out of harm's way in the bottom of the third after BU recorded back-to-back singles. A failed sac bunt led to the first out of the inning at third base, then a fielder's choice back to the mound gave ISU two outs. The inning came to a close on a groundout keeping the game at 3-0.

The bottom of the fifth was more of the same for Indiana State as the Sycamores came up with the unique 1-2-3 double play with the bases loaded. Butler led off the inning with three-straight hits, but couldn't get on the scoreboard after a flyout to right ended the inning.

Butler's defense responded with an inning-ending double play in the top of the sixth, but the damage had already been done. Indiana State scored an insurance run in the eighth while adding two more in the ninth.

BU would avoid the shutout with an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth inning off a Tyler Houston sacrifice fly.

Tyler Ward would work deep into the contest and leave Bulldog Park with the win. The right-handed pitcher tossed 7.1 innings before handing the ball off to Ethan Larrison who took the Sycamores home.

The loss fell to Jeff Schank who threw seven full innings for the Bulldogs. Schank had a nice outing with eight strikeouts and just two walks. Run support would once again be a problem as he exited the game after the seventh to give Quentin Miller a shot on the mound. Miller was quickly replaced by Zach Barnes who finished the final 1.1 innings of work.

Butler will return to action with a game at Dayton on Tuesday, April 5. The weekend will signal the start of the conference season with BU playing a three-game series at Villanova.