The Butler Grizzlies advanced to the next round of the Region VI tournament in Manhattan next week as a 7-5 victory over the ninth seeded Coffeyville Red Ravens wrapped up a sweep in the opening round best of three series. The Grizzlies defeated the Red Ravens 13-2 on Wednesday in game one in run rule fashion before sending the Red Ravens packing with a 7-5 win Thursday afternoon.
The Grizzlies used a five run second inning to take the lead that they never relinquished after Coffeyville put across the first run of the game in their half of the second inning. A two run home run from Josh Holmes put the Grizzlies up by three, his sixth of the year. He and Cache Stone were the two Grizzlies to put up multiple RBIs today, as they each had two. The Grizzlies scored seven runs on seven hits, also drawing seven free passes on walks. Josh Holmes, Paul Schoenfeld, and Bryce Zimmerer all successfully stole bases.
Izack Tiger picked up his eighth victory of the year, a six inning outing that saw the sophomore strike out seven batters and give up only seven runs on four hits. Tanner Leslie gave the Grizzlies two really good setup inning before Andrew Wisner came in for the save, his ninth of the year, pitching in the ninth inning and retiring the Ravens in order to send Coffeyville packing and the Grizzlies to the next round.
The Grizzlies extend their winning streak to six games, their longest of the season, and improve their record to 34-22. The Grizzlies will head to Tointon Family Stadium on the campus of Kansas State University for the next round, which is an eight team double elimination tournament that starts on Tuesday, against the top seeded Cowley Tigers, ranked ninth in the country. The Grizzlies and the Tigers met in the championship of last year's tournament, a game that was won by Cowley. Butler will take on the Tigers at 4:00pm on Tuesday in Manhattan.
