Grizzlies Split Doubleheader in Oklahoma

EDMOND, Okla. – Butler baseball played two games on Wednesday in the University of Central Oklahoma Showcase at Wendell Simmons Field, defeating NEO 9-1 and falling to Coffeyville 16-2.

Butler moved to 4-1 on the season and will play Seminole State on Thursday at 5:30 to end their time in Edmond.

Game 1: Butler 9, NEO 1 (7 inn.)

The Grizzlies continued their hot start to the 2024 season, smothering NEO 9-1 in the first game of the afternoon.

NEO struck first with an RBI single from Braden Blundell to make it 1-0 in the bottom of the first. That was all they got as the Butler pitching staff held them scoreless over the next seven innings.

The Grizzlies had a big second inning, plating four to take a 4-1 lead. In four consecutive at bats, Tyler Butash hit an RBI single to right center, Breon Horne drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, Garrett Fager laced an RBI double to left field and Anibal River smoked an RBI double to left field.

Caden Kickhaefer (W, 2-0) got the start and threw 3.1 innings allowing a lone run, earning his second win this year. He struck out three and walked three.

Butash delivered his first collegiate home run in the fifth inning, a three run shot to left field that gave Butler an 8-1 advantage.

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Tyler Butash goes yard for his first collegiate home run, giving Butler an 8-1 lead in the fifth!#RoarGrizz�� pic.twitter.com/DPP6dn3EGU

— Butler Grizzlies (@ButlerGrizzlies) February 14, 2024

Following Kickhaefer's exit, three Grizzly relievers (Kamden Phillips, Lane McEachern, Tate Rico) combined to throw 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing a lone hit.

Taber Stokes had two hits and two runs scored for Butler. Butash had two hits and drove in four runs while Fager tallied two runs scored, a hit and an RBI.

Game 2: Coffeyville 16, Butler 2 (5 inn.)

The first loss of the season for Butler was a big one as Coffeyville run ruled them 16-2 in five innings.

The game got underway and the Red Ravens plated two runs in the top of the first as George Andrews hit a two-run single to center.

The Grizzlies answered in the bottom of the second with two runs to tie the game. Taber Stokes got the scoring started with an RBI single to left center, scoring Cole Murrell. Charlie Marcantel followed with a single through the left side that scored Stoked and the game was tied 2-2.

Things fell apart for Butler in the third and fourth innings as Coffeyville scored a combined 13 runs in the two, taking a 15-1 lead midway through the fourth.

Butler starting pitcher Austin Bagnall was credited with the loss, throwing 2.1 innings allowing six runs on six hits, walking three and striking out none.

Caden Hinther, Kaden McDaniel and Blake Katen each made relief appearances, and each allowed at least a run.

Anibal Rivera led Butler with two hits, the only Grizzly to have two or more.

Coffeyville's Jaden Hill had three hits, three runs and four RBI. Wyatt Pace tallied two hits, two runs and three RBI.