INDIANAPOLIS - The Eastern Illinois Panthers handed Butler a 15-12 loss at Grand Park on Wednesday night. Despite the loss, Butler put up a season-high 12 runs, led by Matthew Rhoades who crushed two home runs. With the win, the Panthers improve to 3-1 on the season while the Bulldogs fall to 2-3. 

BULLDOG HIGHLIGHTS 

• Danny Gavin was 3-for-4 at the dish recording an RBI, two runs scored and two walks. Gavin recorded his first two doubles of the season in the contest.  

• Matthew Rhoades finished 2-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, marking his second multi-home run game of the season.  

• Gavin Gilmore recorded his fourth multi-hit game of the season and tallied one RBI. 

• Will Burgess recorded a multi-hit game and scored a run in the contest.  

• Connor Sackett went 1-for-4 at the dish with a triple. Sackett tallied two RBIs and a walk.  

• David Ayers tallied two hits in five plate appearances and chipped in two RBIs and two runs scored.  

• Chris Lewis scored two runs and had a hit. Lewis recorded one RBI and one walk.  

• Logan Crock swiped two bags in addition to his two hits. The sophomore also scored a run and contributed one RBI.  

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Eastern Illinois had an explosive top of the first as the Panthers scratched across four runs with the help of one hit, three walks and a hit by pitch. Despite recording a hit in the bottom half of the frame, BU was unable to get on the board as the visitors took the four-run advantage into the second.  

• After a scoreless top of the second, Butler strung together three-consecutive two-out hits to shrink the Panther lead in half (4-2). Ayers and Lewis hit back-to-back doubles, which were followed by an RBI single from Lewis.  

• EIU had a strong top of the third, plating three runs on three hits as the visitors lead grew to five (7-2). Butler responded in the bottom half of the frame and it started with a leadoff solo shot from Rhoades. With two runners on, Sackett laced a triple that scored both runners as BU cut the deficit to two. In the ensuing at bat, Butler tied the game with a two-run homer from Ayers as the score was even at 7-7. BU was able to plate three more runs in the frame as the Bulldogs took their first lead of the game at 10-7 heading into the fourth.  

• EIU responded to the Dawgs explosive inning with two runs on two hits as the BU lead shrank to one (10-9). Butler was unable to scratch any runs across in the fourth as the score held at 10-9 entering the fifth frame.  

• EIU evened the score at 10-10 in the top half of the inning. To start the bottom half of the inning, BU earned a leadoff walk from Danny Gavin. Rhoades then stepped up to the dish and belted his second homer of the game as BU retook the lead at 12-10.  

• The Panthers added another run in the top of the sixth, cutting the Bulldog lead to one (12-11). BU had runners on the corners with one out, but weren't able to capitalize. The score remained 12-11 entering the seventh inning.  

• After a scoreless seventh, EIU tied the game at 12 with a one out triple, their third of the game. The Panthers tacked on two more runs to take a 14-12 lead. Butler wasn't able to respond and entered the final frame trailing by two.  

• In the top of the ninth, a sacrifice fly plated another run for EIU, giving them a three-run cushion. A double from Gavin and a single from Gilmore put the tying runner at the plate with one out for the Bulldogs. Ultimately, Butler wasn't able to capitalize and EIU was able to secure the 15-12 victory.  

OF NOTE 

• 12 runs marks a season high for the Dawgs. 

• BU has now recorded a home run in every game to open the season. 

• Butler out-hit Eastern Illinois 15-14 

• The Bulldogs belted a season-high 5 doubles in the contest.  

UP NEXT 

Butler will return to action this weekend as the Bulldogs head to Murray, Ky., to take on Murray State. Game one of the series is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 20, with first pitch coming at 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT.