Grizzlies Pick Up First Wins of 2026

EDMOND, Okla. – The Butler Grizzlies earned their first victories of the 2026 season on Wednesday at the University of Central Oklahoma, defeating Seminole State (OK) and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (NEO) in a non‑conference doubleheader.

Game 1 (7 Inn.) – Butler 8, Seminole State (OK) 6

The Grizzlies secured their first win of the season with an 8–6 victory over Seminole State. Butler never trailed, opening the game with two runs in the top of the first. After a leadoff single by Yusei Uzawa, freshman Tanay Vyas drove him in with an RBI double. Jarren Hay then reached on an error, allowing Vyas to score and extend the lead to 2–0.

Seminole State answered with a solo home run in the bottom of the first, but Butler responded with a six‑run third inning. Seminole State countered with four runs of their own in the bottom half, but managed only one more run the rest of the way as Butler held on for the win.

Uzawa was the lone Grizzly with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-3 with a run and two walks. Vyas added a double and two RBIs, while Kaden Gomez‑Gordon contributed an RBI double.

Cooper Annin started on the mound, throwing two innings with three hits allowed—including a solo homer—and three strikeouts. Connor Clark (W, 1–0) delivered three strong innings in relief, allowing just one hit and striking out four.

Game 2 (5 Inn.) – Butler 14, NEO 3

After NEO opened the game with three runs in the top of the first, Butler responded emphatically, scoring 14 unanswered runs to win via run rule in five innings.

The Grizzlies plated two runs in the first, two more in the second, and exploded for five runs in both the third and fourth innings.

First baseman Tanay Vyas delivered a dominant performance, going 4-for-4 with a double, two runs, four RBIs, and two stolen bases. Jackson Ellison added a productive outing, finishing 1-for-2 with three runs, an RBI, a triple, two walks, and a stolen base.

Shane Holman (W, 1–0) earned the win, throwing three innings and allowing one hit and three unearned runs while striking out two. Connor Robinson closed the final two innings, giving up one hit and striking out one of the six batters he faced.

Next Up: The Grizzlies return to the road next Thursday, February 19, for a doubleheader at Labette, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.