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Butler Takes Series Opener At UIC, 10-6
May 7, 2004
Senior Justin Mckinley clubbed a three-run, home run in the top of the seventh inning to help lead Butler to a 10-6 victory over league-leading UIC in the first game of a four-game Horizon League series at Les Miller Field in Chicago on Friday night, May 7. The win lifted the Bulldogs to 21-21 on the season and 8-5 in league play, while UIC slipped to 28-15 overall and 9-4 in conference.
McKinley broke a 5-5 tie with his clutch blast. Senior Matt Crews opened the inning with a walk, and sophomore Stephen Gill was hit by a pitch. McKinley then gave Butler the lead for good by depositing a fastball from UIC relief pitcher Charlie Hahn over the leftfield wall. It was McKinley's third home run of the season and his second in as many games. The three-run shot ended UIC's string of 19.2 innings without allowing an earned run.
The Bulldogs reaped the benefit of a season-high eight errors by UIC, leading to five unearned runs. The Flames jumped in front with three runs off of Butler starter Craig Costello in the third inning, but the Bulldogs came back with three tallies in the fifth frame. Two walks and a single by sophomore Mike Rosen loaded the bases, and all three runners scored on a dropped fly ball in centerfield. UIC scored twice more in the fifth inning, but the Bulldogs tied the game with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the sixth frame, setting up the McKinley home run. The Flames scored their final run in the eighth inning and Butler added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth on run-scoring singles by McKinley and junior Dale Mueller. McKinley had four hits in the game, including a double to go with the home run. He's had seven hits in Butler's last two contests, including a double, triple and two home runs. The second baseman had half of Butler's hits against UIC. Costello pitched seven innings and earned his sixth win in ten decisions this season. Sophomore Luke Behning pitched the final two innings and picked up his sixth save of the season, setting a new Butler single season record. Butler and UIC will meet in a doubleheader at Les Miller Field on Saturday, May 8, starting at 1 p.m. |
