EL DORADO, Kan. – The Butler baseball offense stayed hot as the Grizzlies completed a doubleheader sweep of the Colby Trojans at McDonald Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The Grizzlies (21-14, 11-3 KJCCC) picked up wins No. 20 and 21, winning game one 14-4 and game two 12-2 over the Trojans (5-30, 3-15).
The two teams will play at Colby on Saturday to close the season series out.
Game 1: Butler 14, Colby 4 (6 inn.)
Butler plated three runs in the first and four in the second to jump out to a 7-3 advantage early. They closed the game out with five runs in the sixth inning to force a run rule.
Caden Kickhaefer (W, 5-2) threw a complete game, striking out seven while walking just one and allowing three earned runs in his 6.0 innings.
Anibal Rivera was 3-4 with four RBI and Jaron Brown also drove in four runs as he mashed a three-run home run in the bottom of the second. Tyler Butash was 3-3 with two RBI and CJ Reid finished 2-4 with two RBI.
Colby scored two runs in the first but was held to just two runs over the next 5.0 innings.
Cassius Bradford led them offensively with three hits and two RBI. Starting pitcher Marco Iberle (L, 1-2) took the loss allowing nine runs on 12 hits in 5.0 innings of work.
Game 2: Butler 12, Colby 2 (8 inn.)
Butler held Colby scoreless until the seventh inning in game two, securing the second run rule of the day winning 12-2 in eight.
The Grizzlies led just 1-0 entering the fourth inning but scored four runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to extend its lead to 9-0.
They were led by Jaron Brown's three hits and four runs scored. Brown hit his second home run of the afternoon in the fifth inning and was also impressive defensively in center field making several diving catches.
BSB vs. Colby (G2) | T7
— Butler Grizzlies (@ButlerGrizzlies) April 4, 2024
Jaron Brown are you serious??? The McPherson native shows off his range in CF, laying out and making the play!#RoarGrizz�� pic.twitter.com/awkinSuYdm
Micah Kobuszewski drove in a team-high three runs while Brock Toothaker and Triston Speaker each had two RBI.
Jack Laird earned the win throwing 7.0 innings allowing just two runs on five hits. He struck out three and walked three. Blake Katen pitched the eighth holding the Trojans off the board.
Butler beat up on Colby starting pitcher Jaxon MacDonald (L, 0-2) as he gave up eight runs on four hits, walking five in 4.0 innings.
