VALPARAISO – The Bulldogs defeated Valparaiso on Sunday afternoon by the final score of 9-2. Butler scored six runs in the top of the first inning to help record their 13th win of the season. Harrison Freed led Butler from the plate by going 3-for-6 with four RBI and a run scored.
 
Freed homered in his first at-bat with Kyle Smith standing on second base to give BU a quick 2-0 lead. Brody McGrath would help build the lead to 4-0 with a two RBI double to left center allowing Kollyn All and Robbie McCargar to score.
 
McGrath's extra base hit would cause a pitching change as the Valpo skipper went with Komacker on the hill. The change couldn't slow down the BU bats as Sam Russo knocked in a run on a double down the leftfield line. Russo would then score to make the game 6-0.
 
Butler pushed their lead to 9-0 after the top of the fourth inning on a two-RBI single from Freed. The shutout would be erased in the bottom of the ninth after a two-run home run from Barry.
 
Connor Schultz got the win on the mound after eight shutout innings of baseball. He struck out seven and only allowed one walk. Schultz limited the Crusaders to just two hits.
 
Butler will get back in action on Tuesday with a 3 PM road game at Northern Kentucky. Their next home game will follow on Wednesday when they host Anderson at 4 PM.