GAME NOTES
INDIANAPOLIS – Butler's pivotal three-game series against Georgetown will get underway at 4 PM on Friday afternoon. The two teams currently rank third and fourth in the conference standings. Those fans unable to attend are encouraged to watch the Facebook Live stream on both Friday and Saturday. Sunday's 11:30 start will stream on BEDN.
BIG EAST Standings
St. John's 11-1, 32-11
Seton Hall 10-2, 24-16-1
Georgetown 7-5, 21-24
Butler 6-5, 29-15
Creighton 5-9, 28-15
Xavier 5-10, 16-32
Villanova 0-12, 8-32
Bulldog Bits
- Butler is 6-6 vs. Georgetown since joining the BIG EAST in 2014
- BU won the series (2-1) at Georgetown last year by winning the final two games
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Garrett Christman pitched a complete game (7 IP) shutout at Georgetown last year
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Sam Hubbe also picked up a win after tossing eight full innings of action in 2017
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Gehrig Parker went 4-for-4 vs. Toledo with two walks and two runs scored
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Tyler Houston is four doubles shy of tying the school record (20)
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Garrett Christman is the first Bulldog to record 40+ RBIs since 2015
- The top four batting averages on the BU roster all belong to seniors
- BU's seven seniors have played in 852 games combined
- Senior day for BU will fall on Sunday, May 13 vs. Georgetown
- Sunday's game between Butler and Georgetown will now start at 11:30 AM
- With a victory vs Georgetown, Butler will hit the 30-win mark for just the sixth time
Scouting Georgetown
The Hoyas swept Maryland Eastern Shore on Wednesday afternoon to improve to 23-24 on the year. The scheduled doubleheader featured two seven-inning games. The top player in the Hoya lineup is Ryan M. Davis, not to be confused for Ryan P. Davis who also sees quality time on the diamond for Georgetown. Ryan Davis starts in centerfield and hangs onto a .309 batting average which includes 12 doubles for 25 RBI. Ryan P. Davis is behind the plate for Georgetown defensively. Offensively he bats .324 with seven doubles and a pair of homers. Eddie McCabe and Jake Berstein are two other Hoyas with over 50 hits on the year. McCabe leads the club with 34 RBI and Berstein is tied for the team lead in home runs. Head Coach Pete Wilk will throw Jack Cushing, Brent Killam and Jerry Burke this weekend against Butler. Killam has the best numbers of the trio as the Saturday starter. He is 6-2 on the mound with a 2.38 ERA. He leads the team in innings pitched (68.0) and in strikeouts with 81.
Senior Day
The Butler athletic department will recognize the 2018 senior class before first pitch on Sunday, May 13.
Cole Malloy,
Michael Hartnagel,
Tyler Houston,
Josh Walker,
Gehrig Parker,
Connor Mitchell and
Garrett Christman will all play their last game at Bulldog Park against the Hoyas. This group of seniors has helped Butler produce 97 wins over the last four seasons.
30-Win Mark
Butler went 31-20 last year to reach the 30-win mark for the first time since 2003. The 2018 club is just one win away from 30. The school record for most wins in a season stands at 34, a total set in back to back seasons (2002-2003). Butler also reached 30+ wins in 1998 and 2000.
Look Around the League
With six conference wins, the Bulldogs currently rank fourth in the BIG EAST standings. The Hoyas occupy the third spot with a 7-5 record and both St. John's and Seton Hall are tournament bound with 10+ wins against conference foes. In order for Butler to remain in the top four of the standings and make the conference tournament they will need to hold off Creighton (5-9) and Xavier (5-10). They split a two-game series vs. Creighton earlier this season and are coming off a 2-1 weekend against the Musketeers. Butler will play at St. John's next weekend and Georgetown will host Seton Hall.
BIG EAST Tournament Talk
Assuming all games are played this weekend, Georgetown could be the next team to qualify. To clinch, the Hoyas can do it on their own with a series win at Butler. If the Hoyas win one of three games, Georgetown would also need Creighton to lose at least one game. Should Georgetown sweep Butler, the Blue & Gray could be at least the No. 3 seed in the upcoming tournament. Butler can also clinch with a sweep of Georgetown. Should Butler win the series 2-1, the Bulldogs would need Creighton to lose at least one game.
Parker Lands on BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Again)
Gehrig Parker placed his name on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll once again. Over Butler's past eight games, Parker has hit .394 with five doubles and a homer. He scored five runs during that span and knocked in six RBIs.
Up Next
Butler's final non-conference opponent will be Eastern Michigan. The Eagles will host the Bulldogs on Tuesday, May 15. The game will get underway at 4 PM.
