Live Stats
Probable Starters
Friday: RHP
Jack Myers vs. LHP Nick Zwack
Saturday: RHP
Connor Schultz vs. RHP Lane Flamm
Saturday: LHP
Nick Eaton vs. RHP Ethan Bosacker
Sunday: TBA vs. LHP Trevor Olson
INDIANAPOLIS – Butler will travel to Cincinnati this weekend to play a four-game series against the Musketeers at Hayden Field. Game one on Friday will feature a 3 PM start. Games on Saturday and Sunday will each get underway at 12 PM.
Bulldog Bits
- Butler and Xavier have the same team batting average (.245), and fielding percentage (.954).
- These two BIG EAST rivals rank sixth and seventh in team ERA (6.06 / 6.75).
- BU ranks fourth in the BIG EAST and 66th in the NCAA in strikeouts per nine innings (9.7).
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Connor Schultz ranks fourth in the league with 38 strikeouts.
- Schultz leads the BIG EAST and ranks 18th in the NCAA in strikeout-to-walk ratio (9.5).
- Schultz ranks first in the BIG EAST and 44th in the NCAA in walks allowed per nine innings (1.3).
- Schultz leads the conference and ranks 45th in the NCAA in strikeouts per nine innings (12.8).
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Jack Myers ranks seventh in innings pitched (32.0) and ERA (3.38).
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John MacCauley has picked off three runners this season, the highest total in the BIG EAST.
- MacCauley has held the opposition to a .188 batting average, the third-best average in the BIG EAST.
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Aaron Steinhart ranks 10th in the BIG EAST in slugging percentage (.534).
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Dan Harwood leads the team with a .375 batting average.
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Freddie Matos and
James Gargano are tied for the team lead with 21 hits each.
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Aaron Steinhart has seven extra base hits this year helping him post a team-high 16 RBI.
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James Gargano always bats near the top of the order and therefore leads BU with 16 runs scored.
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Robbie McCargar has three home runs and a triple to lead BU with a .714 slugging percentage.
Scouting Xavier
The Musketeers took two of three at St. John's last weekend to move their overall record to 11-14. They lost 2-1 in the opener, but erupted for 12 runs in game two and 18 runs in game three to win the series. Catcher Natale Monastra leads Xavier with a .318 batting average. He has a team-high 28 hits including five doubles and two homers for a team-best 18 RBI. Jack Housinger is another .300 hitter in the lineup. He is tied for the team lead with three home runs and has plenty of speed with 20 runs scored and five stolen bases. Xavier leads the BIG EAST in base on balls, and rank second in hits, home runs, and runs scored.
Xavier opened the 2021 season by winning two of three at Texas A&M. A common non-conference opponent between Butler and Xavier this season was Evansville. The Purple Aces hosted four games against Xavier, winning three. Evansville also played host to Butler for a three-game series. The 'Dawgs came out on top in game two 12-8.
Xavier Attendance Policy
Xavier Athletics announced an update to their attendance policy for the 2021 spring baseball season. Due to return to play guidelines and capacity limitations, attendance will be limited to player families and guests. The general public will not be able to attend games at Hayden Field this season. In addition, to allow proper six feet social distance between families, dogs will not be permitted at the ballpark this season.
BIG EAST Standings
Creighton 3-0, 9-7
UConn 2-0, 16-12
Seton Hall 3-1, 10-13
Xavier 2-1, 11-14
St. John's 1-2, 10-7
Butler 1-3, 6-12
Villanova 0-3, 12-5
Georgetown 0-2, 0-3
Streaks
Andy Bennett has reached base safely in eight-straight games.
James Gargano has the longest hitting streak on the team at four games.
Eaton Expands his Role
LHP
Nick Eaton will make the first start of his Bulldog career on Saturday. The IU transfer has made 13 appearances at Butler, including seven already this year. Over 13.2 innings, Eaton has struck out 14, while allowing 14 hits for five earned runs (3.29 ERA).
Up Next
Butler will host a four-game series next weekend against Villanova. Friday's game will start at 4 PM. The doubleheader on Saturday will feature a seven and nine inning game with a noon start. Sunday's finale will also get started at 12 PM.
