INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs took a 5-3 loss to Georgetown on Mother's Day to move their overall record to 31-16. Their 8-6 record against BIG EAST opponents is just one shy of clinching a spot in the upcoming BIG EAST Championship Tournament.
 
Michael Hartnagel was the player of the game for Butler going 3-for-4 from the plate with two doubles, one RBI and one run scored. Hartnagel put BU in front with an RBI double to right centerfield in the first. Gehrig Parker came all the way around to score from first base.
 
Georgetown answered by scoring all four of their runs in the second with two outs. A solo home run from Sammy Stevens put the Hoyas on the scoreboard and a two-RBI single from Jake Bernstein would round out the scoring total. Michael DeRenzi was also credited with an RBI during the frame.
 
The BU deficit was cut in half in the fourth with Duncan Hewitt picking up an RBI single. His hard hit ball took a big hop and struck the Hoya third baseman in the shoulder. Garrett Christman who led off the inning with a single to center was able to score on Butler's fifth hit of the contest.
 
Georgetown was able to tack on another run in the seventh. Eddie McCabe hit a slow roller back to the mound, but neither the BU pitcher or catcher was able to field the ball clean which allowed Bernstein to score.
 
Butler's final run came in the bottom of the eighth inning. Harrison Freed hit a ball to the Hoya shortstop to score Hartnagel. The play went down as a fielder's choice as Georgetown picked up a big out at third base on the play.
 
Butler put two runners on base in the bottom of the ninth inning, but the comeback fell short which led to Georgetown claiming their eighth win of the conference season.
 
Jeremiah Burke was credited with the win (3-0) and Jimmy Swad came in four a five-out save. Swad was able to record his 12th save of the season.
 
Burke tossed 7.1 innings and ended the game with five strikeouts to go along with just one out. Garrett Christman was hit with the loss on the mound for BU. The senior tossed six full innings and struck out four before leaving the bump. Same Hubbe tossed two innings for BU and the final three outs went to senior Josh Walker.
 
The final non-conference game of the season is up next for Butler. The Bulldogs will play at Eastern Michigan on May 15. The final BIG EAST weekend series will follow with Butler playing at St John's (May 17-19).