Dalton Wheat hit two home runs and Evan Koehler added another as the Butler baseball team scored a season high in runs in a 19-1 run-rule shortened victory over Central Christian College JV on Wednesday at McDonald Stadium.
Wheat's first home run was in the bottom of the first inning, when he led off with a solo shot to center field. That was the start of a nine-run inning which included a bases-loaded double by Ty Redington. Evan Koehler drove in two runs in two different at-bats in the inning. The Grizzlies also loaded the bases and scored then scored runs on three straight free bases as Trever Ezell and Michael Bird were hit by pitches and Dalton Wheat was walked.
After a scoreless second inning, Butler scored eight runs in the third. Evan Koehler hit a two-run home run and Dalton Wheat hit a three-run shot, this one to left field. Jeff Christen drove in a run with a double, Trever Ezell singled to drive in another run and Zach Baker had an RBI groundout.
Butler scored its final two runs in the bottom of the fourth, including an RBI single by Zach Baker.
The Grizzlies used three pitchers in the contest, with starter Kyle Macy earning the win. He threw two scoreless innings before allowing a run in the top of the third. Gibson Russ and Max Chadsey both threw two scoreless innings apiece.
Butler is now 23-16 on the season and has won three consecutive games, with wins over Garden City, Seminole State and Central Christian. The Grizzlies play a crucial Jayhawk West Conference series against division leader Hutchinson this weekend with a 7 p.m. home game on Friday, a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m. and a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m.