#35 Alabama Tops Butler, 6-2
March 16, 2005
Nationally-ranked Alabama scored four runs in the first two innings and maintained that margin to defeat visiting Butler, 6-2, in a non-league game at The Joe on Wednesday, March 16. The loss was Butler's fifth in a row in Alabama and dropped the Bulldogs to 2-9 on the year. Alabama, ranked 35th, improved to 15-5.
The Crimson Tide scored three runs in the first inning off of Butler senior Jim Knytych. Junior Evan Bush sparked the rally with a two-run single, and Gabe Scott added a run-scoring hit. The Tide added an unearned run in the second inning to make it 4-0.
Butler stopped the shutout in the seventh inning on a run-scoring single by sophomore Tony Barnes, but the Crimson Tide countered with two runs in the bottom half of the frame. The Bulldogs scored a final run on a sacrifice bunt by senior Jonathan Day in the eighth inning.
Knytych settled down after the opening volley and blanked the Crimson Tide for four straight innings, before surrendering the final two runs in the seventh inning. Freshman Jon Dages allowed just one hit in an inning and a third of work. Alabama used six pitchers in the contest.
Sophomore Joe Dempsey paced Butler with a pair of hits in the contest, including his fourth double of the season. Alabama had seven hits in the game to six for the Bulldogs.
Butler will return to action in Alabama against Samford on Friday, March 18.
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