The Butler Grizzlies bounced back after dropping the first two games of the four game series against the Kansas City Kansas Blue Devils as they took game one of the doubleheader on Sunday in the home opener for the Butler Grizzlies at McDonald Stadium, but fell in the second game in an 11-8 slugfest as the Blue Devils took the series.
Game One
Butler picked up their first win against Kansas City since 2015 in game one, a seven inning affair, powered by Izack Tiger's five inning, six strikeout performance for his third win of the season. Andrew Wisner picked up his third save of the year as he struck out the side in the seventh inning. Wisner and Tiger combined to give up just four runs on five hits, punching out nine.
It was a big day at the plate for the Grizzlies, propelled by three home runs. Hayden Dyer opened the scoring for the Grizzlies in the second with a solo shot, and Cooper Torres blew the game open with a three run home run in the bottom of the fourth. Butler finished the game with seven runs on seven hits and five walks.
Game Two
The second game was a dominant offensive display for both teams as the Grizzlies and Blue Devils combined for 19 runs and five home runs. Kansas City opened the scoring with three runs in the first inning via a solo blast and a two run homer, but the Grizzlies tied it in the third via Jackson Holmes' first ever collegiate home run in the third inning. The Blue Devils would blow the game open in the fourth inning with a three run blast, taking the lead and never relinquishing.
Butler earned eight runs on seven hits. Holmes earned his first collegiate hit with the home run in the third.
Butler was plagued by five errors as the Grizzlies gave up only seven earned runs. Gavin Peterson took the loss for the Grizzlies, as the Blue Devils earned 11 runs on 17 hits.
The doubleheader split will put the Grizzlies at 6-4 after Kansas City swept the doubleheader on Saturday. Butler will continue their eight game homestand next weekend as they play host to Des Moines Area Community College for four games, starting with a doubleheader on Friday and ending with another two game set at McDonald Stadium on Saturday against the Bears.
