MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Butler defeated the Milwaukee Panthers 8-7 on Sunday afternoon, securing the series victory for Butler. Gunnar Duncan was spectacular for Butler, recording five RBIs, three hits and two runs scored in the rubber match victory. With the win, Butler improves to 8-20 on the season while Milwaukee slides to 5-20.
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BULLDOG HIGHLIGHTS

• Gavin Gilmore tallied a double and a run scored.
• Danny Gavin had a solid day, recording two walks, two hits and two runs scored.
• Gunnar Duncan was spectacular for Butler, going 3-for-4 at the dish with two runs scored, five RBIs and a home run.
• Charlie Schebler recorded a hit and a walk.
• Easton Moore tallied a hit, a run scored and two RBIs.
• Logan Crock was 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored, an RBI and a walk.
• Jack Hagen picked up the win on the mound for BU.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Milwaukee got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning, plating two runs on three hits. Butler responded in the top of the second after a leadoff walk from Gavin put a runner on with no outs for Duncan. The sophomore belted a two-run homer to left center, evening the score at 2-2.
• After keeping the Panthers off the board in the bottom half of the second, Butler loaded the bases with two outs in the third. Duncan continued his hot day at the plate, blistering an RBI single to left center that brought two runners' home for the Dawgs. Schebler earned a walk to load the bases once again before Moore hit an RBI single to right field, scoring two more for Butler. Milwaukee was able to grab the third out of the inning as the Dawgs took the 6-2 lead into the bottom of the frame.
• Neither side was able to generate much offense in the bottom of the third or in the fourth as the score held at 6-2 heading to the fifth.
• Milwaukee responded in the fifth with a two-run home run that brought the Panthers within two. The Panthers were not done yet as the home side added two more runs to even the score at 6-6 heading into the sixth frame.
• An RBI single from Crock in the top of the sixth and an RBI single from Duncan helped BU create a two-run cushion as the Dawgs lead 8-6 going into the bottom of the seventh. Milwaukee responded in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single, cutting the BU lead to one (8-7).
• The Panthers threatened in the eighth with runners on the corners and two outs. The Butler defense stood tall, getting out of the inning without allowing a run as BU held onto the 8-7 lead going into the final frame.
• Butler was able to fend off the Panthers' comeback efforts in the ninth as Brett Sherrard closed the door on Milwaukee, picking up his first save of the season in the 8-7 victory.

 
UP NEXT
Butler will open BIG EAST play this week with a three-game series at Villanova. Game one of the series is slated for Thursday, April 2, in Villanova, Pa., with first pitch coming at 3 p.m. More information about the series will be available on Butlersports.com.