CHARLESTON, Ill. – Butler posted their sixth-straight win of the season at Eastern Illinois on Tuesday night by defeating the Panthers 6-3. The 'Dawgs remain undefeated in non-conference action during the month of April as they move their overall record to 24-8.
BU faced a 1-0 deficit after five full innings, but would take a slim 2-1 edge after six. The seventh inning told the story as Butler scored four runs off four hits. EIU would score two in the bottom of the eighth to make the score 6-3, but
Jack Pilcher would once again fight off the opposition in the ninth to earn the save.
Pilcher now has a team-high five saves on the season. The win went to
Joe Graziano (3-0) while the loss fell to Dustin Wilson. Graziano tossed four full innings in relief with starter
Sam Hubbe throwing the opening three frames.
Brock Balderson and
Quentin Miller would also see time on the mound for BU.
Tyler Houston led the team offensively, going 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Fellow seniors
Gehrig Parker,
Michael Hartnagel and
Garrett Christman also ended the contest with two hits. Hartnagel and Christman would add RBIs to their stat line. Additional RBIs were recorded by
James Gargano and
Harrison Freed.
Houston's homer led off the sixth inning to tie the game at 1-1. Hartnagel would also impact the sixth with a double to left center. The senior shortstop moved to third on wild pitch and score on an RBI groundout from Gargano.
Another extra base hit would lead off the seventh inning for BU as
Duncan Hewitt sent a ball deep into left field. Houston would send Hewitt around to score with a single back up the middle of the diamond.
Hartnagel would move the game to 4-1 with a sac fly to deep centerfield.
Garrett Christman would follow in the lineup with an RBI single that scored Houston.
The final run of the game for BU came off the bat of
Harrison Freed. Freed pinch-hit for Gargano and singled to right center to score Parker.
BU returns to conference competition this weekend with a three-game home series vs. Seton Hall. The first two games will stream on Facebook Live. Friday's first pitch is set for 4 PM. Game two will start at 2 PM and the series finale will feature at 1 PM start.
