Butler Baseball Gets Series Win Over Eastern Oklahoma State

WILBURTON, Okla. – Butler baseball swung its way to a series victory over the Eastern Oklahoma State Mountaineers on Thursday and Friday.

The Grizzlies (7-3) split a doubleheader on Thursday, falling 8-7 in a seven-inning game and winning 20-13 in a nine-inning game. Butler then clinched the series over the Mountaineers on Saturday with a 17-10 win in a nine-inning affair.

The Grizzlies now turn their attention to their home opener on Friday, March 1st, at McDonald Stadium. First pitch for game one is at noon with game two to follow 30 minutes after.

Game 1: EOSC 8, Butler 7

Butler held a 5-2 lead heading into the fourth but a four-spot in the sixth from EOSC doomed the Grizzlies as the Mountaineers came away with the 8-7 win.

Caden Kickhaefer got the start for Butler and threw 3.0 innings allowing four earned runs on four hits, striking out two and walking three. Kamden Phillips was saddled with the loss throwing 0.1 of an inning in the third, allowing three runs.

Garrett Fager led Butler with two hits and two runs scored. Taber Stokes and Anibal Rivera each drove in two runs.

Game 2: Butler 20, EOSC 13

Butler brought across at least one run in seven of nine innings including an eight spot in the ninth to score a season-high 20 runs and secure a series-tying 20-13 win in Thursday's nightcap.

Butler was outhit 16-14 by EOSC as well as having four errors to the Mountaineer's two but the big ninth inning pushed the Grizzlies to the win. Five Grizzlies finished with multi-hit games.

Fager drove in a career-high seven runs, finishing with two hits, three runs scored and two walks. He hit a three-run home run in the top of the second to put Butler ahead 4-2.

Justin Hudson drove in four runs, adding three hits and three runs scored. He hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning.

Austin Bagnall earned the start and threw 3.1 innings allowing four runs on six hits. Bradyn McClure (W, 1-0) picked up the win as he was the most effective Grizzly reliever. He threw 2.2 innings allowing a lone run on two hits. He struck out three and walked none.

CJ Reid added two hits, two walks and two RBI. Rivera added two hits and three runs and Charlie Marcantel tallied two hits and two RBI. Cooper Rasmussen led Butler with four runs.

Game 3: Butler 17, EOSC 10

The Grizzlies continued their impressive offensive ways using 17 runs to secure a series win in the Friday game.

Butler got out to a quick 4-0 lead with four runs in the top of the first. They built a 6-0 lead in the second before EOSC was able to plate a run in the bottom half.

The Grizzlies brought four more runs home in the fifth to go ahead 13-3 and they were in good shape from there.

Zach Murkin got the start, tossing 4.0 innings for the Grizzlies. He allowed two earned runs, striking out four and walking three.

Tyler Butash was impressive at the plate, finishing with four hits, five RBI and two runs scored. He hit a grand slam in the fourth inning putting Butler up 13-3.

Rivera had three hits and three RBI.