Bucknell University
Butler
Baseball Posts 8-5 Win Over Butler
3/13/2015 9:52:00 PM | Baseball
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Brett Smith, Anthony Gingerelli, Rob Krentzman and Greg Wasikowski had two hits apiece and Bryson Hough allowed one run in six innings of work to lead the Bucknell baseball team to an 8-5 victory over Butler on Friday afternoon. The Bison improved to 8-5 on the season and 3-3 on their trip to Florida. Butler is now 3-13 this year.
Bucknell scored three runs in the first inning and led 8-1 after five innings of play. The Bison totaled 11 hits with one of them being Wasikowski's second career home run leading off the fourth inning.
Hough improved to a team-best 3-1 on the year as he logged at least six innings for the third time in five starts this season. It was his 16th career victory, moving him into a tie for fifth place on the program's all-time list. The Bulldogs totaled just five hits off Hough, who retired the last seven hitters he faced before turning it over to the bullpen.
The Bison sent eight men to the plate and scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Brett Smith got things started with a leadoff walk, one of three issued by Butler starter Jeff Schank (1-4) in the frame. Bucknell also benefitted from two Bulldog errors in the inning and scored a pair of unearned runs.
Danny Rafferty, Krentzman and Alex O'Neill led off the third inning with three consecutive singles, but the Bison were unable to push a run across after a double play. Bucknell did plate three runs in the fourth thanks to Wasikowski's home run and a two-out, two-run double by Krentzman.
Four straight singles by Wasikowski, Smith, Gingerelli and Joe Ogren helped push two more runs across in the fifth inning.
Reliever Bobby Napoleon held Bucknell without a hit over its final three at bats as he retired 11 of the final 13 hitters he faced.
Butler scored two runs in the seventh inning and two more in the ninth against the Bison bullpen. Leadoff hitter Drew Small had the best day at the plate for the Bulldogs, posting three hits in five at bats and driving in a pair of runs.
Bucknell head coach Scott Heather had to turn to Tucker Rekucki in the ninth inning when three of the first four hitters reached base and the tying run stood in the on-deck circle. After allowing a single to the first hitter he faced, Rekucki retired two in a row to record his first save of the season and the seventh of his career.
Bucknell will conclude its spring break trip to Florida on Saturday at 10 a.m. against Butler. The Bison have alternated wins and losses throughout the trip.
