March 8, 2004
Sean Walker clubbed two home runs and drove in five runs to lead Michigan State to a 14-4 victory over Butler at Harmon Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., on Sunday, March 7. The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 1-1 on their spring break trip to Florida and 3-4 overall.
The Bulldogs grabbed a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, but Michigan State (3-3) responded with five runs off of Butler starter Luke Behning in the top of the fifth inning. The Spartans added three more runs in the sixth inning and closed with a big five-run ninth inning.
Walker had three hits in the game to spark Michigan State's 14-hit attack. Third baseman James Moreno chipped in with a two hits, including a home run. Michigan State starter Jeff Gerbe pitched six innings and picked up his first win of the season.
Outfielders Matt Crews and Dale Mueller and designated hitter Andy Bulla paced the Bulldogs with two hits apiece. Bulla, who had a pair of home runs in Butler's victory over Western Michigan one day earlier, had a double for the Bulldogs' only extra base hit against the Spartans.
Butler continues its spring break schedule with a game against UConn on Monday, March 8.