INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler baseball team recorded a 7-2 victory over Dayton on Wednesday afternoon to improve their overall record to 18-20. The top of the BU batting order was the difference in the midweek tilt. James Gargano went 4-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored. Kyle Van Liere followed him in the two-hole with a 3-for-3 performance that included a walk, two RBI's and three runs scored.
 
It was a bullpen day for each side with Butler using a new arm every inning and Dayton sending six student-athletes to the rubber. In the end, Aaron Barokas (2-3) would be credited with the win and Austin Brush was hit with the loss (0-1).
 
The first inning was entertaining for each side. Dayton scored two runs on two hits to jump out in front, but the 'Dawgs pulled even with a three-hit bottom half of the inning that featured a two-RBI double down the line by Travis Holt.
 
Gargano broke up the 2-2 tie with an RBI single to center in the fifth to score Cade Vota. The Bulldogs piled on two more runs in the sixth with a Milano single to right and Van Liere would push a ball over the wall in left to take us to our final score of 7-2.
 
Van Liere's first home run of the season was a two-run shot with two outs in the inning. The BU newcomer has also been great in the field, seeing time in center.
 
Butler will hit the road this weekend and play a three-game series in Queens vs. St. John's.