Grizzlies fall on the road at Northern Oklahoma-Enid, 13-9

ENID, Okla. – The Butler baseball team twice had a lead at Northern Oklahoma-Enid, but couldn't hold on at the end, dropping a 13-9 decision on Tuesday afternoon at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.

Butler scored two runs in the top of the first inning, one on an RBI groundout by Brandon Taylor. But Northern touched Butler starter Brad Day for three runs in the bottom of the inning on a bases-loaded double.

The Grizzlies would tie the game in the top of the second on an RBI single by Ty Moore.

But once again, the Jets had an answer for Butler. Northern scored four times in the bottom of the second as Day was chased from the mound. Reliever Connor Dempsey would eventually hold Northern at bay, but the Jets already had a 7-4 lead.

In the top of the sixth, Butler would put together a big inning of its own, with three straight run-scoring singles by Tory Bell, Jordan Knox and Gabe Cook. That allowed Butler to tie the game at 7-7 after seven innings.

Butler would take another lead in the top of the seventh when Jordan Knox laid down a sacrifice that would eventually bring Dalton Wheat.

Northern would then get five runs in their final two innings at bat to get the win.

The Grizzlies were led offensively by Tory Bell, who continues to stay hot at the plate by going 3-for-5 with a run scored and three RBI. Levi Parker and Ty Moore also had two hits apiece. Both players have hit safely in five of Butler's six games so far this spring.

Butler is now 3-3 on the season. The Grizzlies are scheduled to play their first home games of the season this weekend, with one game Saturday at noon and two games Sunday starting at noon against Des Moines Area Community College.