HUNTSVILLE – The Bulldogs hit five home runs on Friday afternoon to collect their first win of the 2024 season. Xavier Carter highlighted the game with a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning to extend the Butler lead over Alabama A&M. The home team added three runs in the bottom half of the inning, but Cole Graverson would take the mound and earn the save with Butler picking up an 11-9 victory.
 
The series opener got off to a rocky start with AAMU scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Butler got two of those runs back in the top of the second after solo home runs from Evan Parks and Jack Moroknek.
 
The third inning was crucial to the BU comeback as the 'Dawgs scored four runs to grab a 6-5 lead. Kade Lewis hit a two-run home run down the line in right and Moroknek would register two more RBIs on the day with a double that scored Parks and Ethan Vecrumba.
 
Carter Dorighi homered in the fourth and Alabama A&M added a solo home run to the scoreboard in the fifth to make it a one-run game. The 7-6 score would hold until the eighth when Carter hit his grand slam. AAMU made some noise in the bottom of the eighth, but Cole Graverson would enter the game for a four-out save.
 
Carter had a great game going 2-for-5 from the dish with four RBI and two runs scored. Moroknek was equally as impressive with a 3-for-5 day that included three RBI and two runs scored.
 
Nick Miketinac did some heavy lifting on the mound to earn his first win. He tossed 4.1 innings of relief and struck out a team-high four batters.
 
Up Next
Butler and Alabama A&M will play again tomorrow. First pitch is slated for 2 PM Eastern, 1 PM Central.