EL DORADO – The Butler Grizzlies combined to hit four home runs all at critical times on Thursday to defeat the Hutchinson Community College baseball team in Games 1 and 2 of a four-game Jayhawk West series on Thursday at McDonald Stadium.
The Blue Dragons saw three home runs leave the yard on a 5-1 loss in Game 1. Then after digging out of four-run hole to take a late lead, the Dragons gave up a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh in a 6-5 loss in Game 2.
Hutchinson fell to 16-7 overall and 4-2 in the conference. Butler is now 12-9 overall and 4-2 in the Jayhawk West. Games 3 and 4 of the series will be at 1 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Hobart-Detter Field.
GAME 1 RECAP – Butler 5, Hutchinson 1
Micah Kobuszewski's three-run home run in the second inning was a sign of things to come on Thursday as the Blue Dragons fell into a hole they couldn't dig out of .
Hutchinson starter Ethan Giesbrecht (3-2) tied a career high with eight strikeouts, but he allowed three home runs in the complete-game loss. Giesbrecht allowed five hits and five earned runs.
The Dragons stranded five runners on base in the first four innings, including leaving the bases loaded in the fourth.
The Blue Dragons got on the scoreboard in the fifth. After Kael Babin drew a one-out walk, he scored from first base on Colin Cymbalista's double down the left-field line to cut the deficit to 4-1.
The Blue Dragons out-hit Butler 6-5, but left eight runners on base.
Tyson Vassart went 2 for 3 to lead the Blue Dragons. Cymbalista's double was the only extra base hit.
GAME 2 RECAP – Butler 6, Hutchinson 5
After falling behind 4-0 after five innings, the Blue Dragon offense finally came to life in Game 2.
The Dragons' first run came when Jon Davis scored from third on a Butler balk. Blake Bradford and Babin added RBI singles to pull within 4-3.
Hutchinson tied the game in the seventh when Cody Gunderson scored on a Davis fielder's choice and Bradford singled home Jordan Tucker for a 5-4 lead.
Butler took the lead right back in the bottom of the seventh with a C.J. Reid two-run home run for a 6-5 lead. The Dragons left two runners on base in the eighth inning and was retired in order in the ninth to end the game.
The Blue Dragons out-hit Butler 13-4 in Game 2, but left 13 runners on base to the Grizzlies' four.
Babin went 4 for 4 with a double and stolen base to lead Hutchinson offensively. Tucker was 3 for 4 with three singles and two runs scored. Bradford was 2 for 5 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Jacob Haddon (1-1) was tagged with the loss after 4 1-3 innings of strong relief work. Haddon, who allowed his first run in five-straight appearances, struck out five. He allowed only one hit and two walks. Starting pitcher Sam Ojeda gave up three hits and four earned runs in 3 2-3 innings of work. Ojeda had one strikeout and three walks.