Box score
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler University baseball team used a three-run eighth inning to rally for a 3-2 victory over Northern Kentucky University at Bulldog Park on Wednesday afternoon.
With NKU holding a 2-0 lead, pinch hitter Nick Bartolone sent a bases-loaded single towards third base, bringing Marco Capone home for the first Butler (19-18) run of the game. Radley Haddad evened the game when he scored on the next play, and an RBI single by Mike Fries gave the Bulldogs the lead for good.
After five scoreless innings, NKU (8-32) put a run on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning on back-to-back doubles by
Brett Cisper and
Cody Kuzniczci.
The Norse took advantage of two Bulldog errors in the seventh inning to stretch the lead.
Josh Myers reached base on a throwing error by Kseniak, who was playing third, and advanced to second on the play. A throwing error by right-handed pitcher Jared Earle sent Myers to third, and he scored on a sacrifice fly by
Zac Asman.
NKU threatened in the ninth inning when Asman sent a two-out single through the left side, but the Norse could not bring him home.
Five different Bulldogs recorded hits on the day. Kyle Allen (2-2) pitched one inning of relief to pick up the win, while Chase Byerly earned his sixth save of the season after holding NKU scoreless in the final frame.
Kuzniczci finished 3-for-4 with an RBI to lead the Norse offense, and Asman went 1-for-2 after being walked, hit by a pitch and recording a sacrifice fly.
NKU will travel to Fort Myers, Fla., for a three-game series against Florida Gulf Coast this weekend. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. start on Saturday. The two teams will conclude the series on Sunday at noon. Live stats will be available at NKUNorse.com.
