INDIANAPOLIS – The Villanova Wildcats used a five-run third inning to notch an 8-6 win at Bulldog Park on Friday afternoon. Butler scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to pull within two runs, but a strikeout and fly out would end the scoring threat and allow the Wildcats to find the win column.
 
Zach Jarosz was great for Butler at the top of the order. The junior shortstop went 4-for-5 from the plate with two runs scored. Harrison Freed and Brody McGrath came together to supply BU with all six of their RBI in the contest.
 
McGrath walked in the first inning with the bases loaded to give BU the quick 1-0 lead. He would later single to left in the third to score James Gargano.
 
Freed homered in the bottom of the fourth to make the game 5-4. His 15th round-tripper of 2019 was a two-run shot with Jarosz on board.
 
Freed came back to the plate in the bottom of the eighth to record a two-RBI single through the left side of the infield to score Jarosz and Connor Christman. Villanova's Cameron Mathes would get the Wildcats out of further trouble and go on to record his first save of the season.
 
The win went to Jimmy Kingsbury (5-4) while the loss fell to Ryan Pepiot. Pepiot struck out eight, but walked seven over 5.2 innings. The only other BU pitcher to see action was freshman Greg Gilbert. He struck out three over the final 3.1.
 
Butler and Villanova will return to Bulldog Park tomorrow at 2 PM. Senior Day activities will be held before first pitch.