Butler uses 17-hit attack to beat Tabor JV 19-8

HILLSBORO, Kan. -- The Butler baseball team won its fourth straight game Tuesday in a 19-8 non-conference road win against Tabor JV.

Butler (17-12 overall, 12-8 conference) pounded out 17 hits in the shortened seven-inning victory, with the bottom of the lineup doing most of the damage.

Freshman second baseman Michael Bird, batting ninth in the lineup, went 4-for-4 with four runs, three RBI and three stolen bases to lead the Grizzlies. In the eight hole, sophomore Gus Strunk had a 3-for-3 day at the plate with four runs and two RBI. Micheal Cerullo and Shane Bridges each went 2-for-4 and scored three runs each.

Leading 4-1 after three innings, Butler scored 15 runs in the final four innings - including a pair of five-run innings in the fifth and sixth.

In the fifth, Bridges reached on an infield error which allowed Brandon Taylor and Derek Ziegenhirt to score. A Gus Strunk sacrifice fly scored Micheal Cerullo, then Bird singled home Bridges. Bird would then score on a triple by Ty Moore to give the Grizzlies an 11-1 lead.

Four consecutive hits by the Grizzlies keyed the five-run sixth inning. An RBI double by Cerullo to score Brandon Taylor opened the scoring. Bridges and Strunk followed with RBI singles, then a double by Michael Bird scored Strunk. Bird would later come home when Jordan Knox reached base on an error.

Freshman starter T.J. Segebart picked up his first win of the season, going five innings and allowing just three hits, one run and striking out three.

Butler will host Garden City (18-20 overall) this weekend for a key four-game conference series at McDonald Stadium, as both the Grizzlies and Broncbusters are tied for fourth place in the Jayhawk West at 12-8. The series gets underway with a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.