Butler Splits Twinbill With Oakland

March 15, 2003

Box Score

Freshman left-handed pitcher Josh Rudolfi threw a complete game, one-hitter to lead Butler to a 5-0 victory over visiting Oakland in the first game of a doubleheader at Bulldog Park in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 15. The Grizzlies rebounded in the second game with a 7-6 victory in extra innings.

Rudolfi was nearly flawless in the opener. He faced just 24 batters in the seven inning contest, and he recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts, while walking just two batters. The lone hit Oakland managed was a bunt single by Gerry Dufore in the third inning. Rudolfi climbed to 2-0 on the young season.

Butler scored all the runs it needed in the fourth inning when senior Paul Beck reached on a one-out double and later scored when Oakland shortstop Ryan Freiburger dropped a high pop-up off the bat of designated hitter Mike Rosen.

The Bulldogs added four insurance runs in the fifth inning, including a three-run home run by Beck. It was his fourth home run of the season. Beck was two for two in the game.

Oakland pitcher Dominic Carmosino pitched all six innings and allowed just three hits, while suffering his second setback in four decisions. He had seven strikeouts and two walks.

In the nightcap, Butler battled back from a 6-2 deficit to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning on a run-scoring double by centerfielder Dale Mueller. But the Grizzlies scored once in the top of the ninth inning to claim the one-run victory. Mueller, shortstop Jared Lowe, catcher Tim Marks, rightfielder Jon Freeman and leftfielder Rex Eaton each had two hits for the Bulldogs, who had 12 hits in the game.

Senior righthander Corey Kugle, who pitched the final three innings in relief, suffered his first loss of the season, while Kyle Boehm picked up the win for the Grizzlies.

Butler (4-8) and Oakland (8-5) will meet in another doubleheader on Sunday, March 16, at Bulldog Park.