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2026 Baseball - Mound Visit vs Xavier
5
Winner Xavier XAVIER 23-27, 11-5 BIG EAST
2
Butler BUTLER 19-30, 8-8 BIG EAST
Winner
Xavier XAVIER
23-27, 11-5 BIG EAST
5
Final
2
Butler BUTLER
19-30, 8-8 BIG EAST
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Xavier XAVIER 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 5 8 0
Butler BUTLER 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 1

W: Ryan Piech (7-3) L: Bradberry, Grayson (4-4) S: Michael Murphy (1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | John Dedman

Bulldogs Drop Friday Contest to Xavier, 5-2


Butler got off to a hot start but couldn't keep the momentum, falling 5-2 to Xavier Friday afternoon in a BIG EAST contest at Bulldog Park in Indianapolis.
 
Friday's game was the first of a three-game series slated for this weekend between the two teams.
 
With the result, Xavier improves to 23-27 overall and 11-5 in BIG EAST play; the Bulldogs fall to 19-30 (8-8).

HOW IT UNFOLDED:
  • The Bulldogs put up a two-spot in the bottom of the first inning with a pair of two-out run-scoring hits. Logan Baker singled in Matthew Rhoades before Danny Gavin doubled in Charlie Schebler.
  • Butler had four hits over the first two innings but was unable to get to Xavier starter Ryan Piech again as the right-hander did not allow another hit through his six innings of work.
  • Butler starter Grayson Bradberry was able to navigate out of a jam in the top of the third, striking out Luke Hammond after loading the bases with two walks and a hit batter. That kept the Butler advantage at 2-0.
  • Former Bulldog Tommy Townsend got the Musketeers on the board with a solo home run over the scoreboard in right field to lead off the top of the fourth. It marked Townsend's eighth home run of the season. Xavier then loaded the bases due to two walks and an error, pushing two runs across on a fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly to take a 3-2 lead.
  • Ian Regal relieved Bradberry in the sixth inning and kept Xavier's advantage at just one run until the top of the ninth when Luke Hammond's two-out double down the left field line scored two Musketeers.
  • Michael Murphy came on in relief of Piech and retired nine of the 10 batters he faced, picking up the three-inning save. He struck out five among his nine outs.  
 
QUICK HITS:
  • Bradberry went 5.0 innings and threw 105 pitches for the Bulldogs, allowing three runs (two earned). He surrendered only three hits but walked four and hit three batters. He struck out five. Bradberry took loss (4-4).
  • Piech settled down after allowing Butler two runs in the first inning. Piech went 6.0 innings and retired 11 of the final 12 batters he faced. He gave up four hits and three walks while striking out four Bulldogs. Piech picked up the win to improve to 7-3 on the 2026 campaign.
  • Butler's five hits on the afternoon were spread evenly among five Bulldogs.
 
UP NEXT: The teams are scheduled to finish out a three-game this weekend in Indianapolis with Saturday's first pitch slated for 2 p.m. Sunday's start is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
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