PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. - Butler came from behind to defeat Villanova 7-5 on Friday afternoon with a four-run ninth inning. With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 10-20 overall and 2-0 in BIG EAST play while the Wildcats slide to 10-16 and 0-2 in conference action.
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BULLDOG HIGHLIGHTS

• Logan Crock recorded a hit and an RBI.
• Matthew Rhoades tallied a hit and a run scored.
• Gavin Gilmore recorded a home run, three RBIs and a walk.
• Will White went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a home run.
• Logan Baker recorded a home run.
• Gunnar Duncan tallied a hit and a run scored.
• Danny Gavin scored a run and earned a walk.
• Max Winders tossed six innings, allowing eight hits and four earned runs while punching out three.
• Alex Kanipe earned the win on the mound, tossing one inning allowing only one hit and one run while punching out two. 
• Brock Buckley earned the save on the mound for BU, tossing one inning, allowing no hits and no runs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first frame was scoreless for both sides. Villanova got on the board first in the second with a solo home run from Collin Quintano.
• Butler responded in the third with an RBI single from Crock as the Dawgs evened the score at 1-1.
• The fourth was scoreless for both sides. In the fifth, an RBI triple from the Wildcats gave the home side a 2-1 advantage. Butler was able to battle back, retaking the lead with the help of a two-run home run from Gilmore in the top of the sixth as BU took the 3-2 lead into the bottom half of the inning.
• Villanova responded with an RBI triple in the bottom half of the sixth as the Wildcats took back the lead at 4-3.
• The seventh was scoreless for both sides. In the eighth, VU put together a two-out rally behind a double and an intentional walk. An error from the Butler defense allowed Villanova to score a run as the home side took the 5-3 lead.
• Butler entered the ninth down two and started the frame with a leadoff walk from Ayers. In the ensuing at-bat, White belted a two-run home run to deep right field, evening the score at 5-5. After the homer, Baker stepped up to the dish and hit a solo shot to left field, giving Butler the 6-5 advantage. Butler wasn't done yet as the Dawgs were able to load the bases with two outs. A walk allowed BU to scratch another run across before the home side grabbed the final out of the inning as the Dawgs took the 7-5 lead into the bottom of the ninth.
• The Bulldogs were able to fend off the Wildcats' comeback efforts in the bottom of the ninth as Butler secured the series victory, with a 7-5 win.

 
UP NEXT
Butler and Villanova will return to action tomorrow for game three of the series. First pitch is slated for 12:05 p.m. at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth and fans can stream the game live on ESPN+.