Kickhaefer shines on the mound, Lummus goes 3-3, as Grizzlies defeat Allen County in game two; force decisive game three tomorrow

Story by Wyatt Ebersole

The Butler Baseball squad squeezed out a game two win against the Allen County Red Devils to force a decisive game three tomorrow afternoon. 

The Red Devils took the lead early once again, hitting a sacrifice groundout in the top of the second to open the scoring in game two. The 1-0 score held firm until the bottom of the fourth when Brock Lummus stepped to the plate and crushed a two-run homer to dead-center field to give the Grizzlies the lead lead. Brock Kuehler doubled the lead later in the inning when he stole third and then came around to score on a throwing error by the Allen catcher, giving the Grizzlies a 3-1 lead through four innings. In the bottom of the fifth, Alan Benhardt hit a sacrifice fly to left to bring Hayden Dyer home from third and extend the Grizzly lead to 4-1 after five innings. Both sides bats fell rather silent across the final four innings, as neither side could bring a runner home despite a plethora of opportunities each way. Austin Bagnall came in to pitch the final two innings for the Grizzlies. After pitching a near flawless eighth, Bagnall got in a jam in the ninth, loading the bases, and letting a run in on a hit-by-pitch, but Bagnall struck out the final batter looking and gave the Grizzlies the win in game two. 

Starter Caden Kickhaefer had an excellent outing for the Grizzlies in the game. He went six and third innings, allowing just one run on three hits, while striking out six batters to earn the win. 

Bagnall earned the save in the game. He went two and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on two hits, and striking out four Red Devils.

Brock Lummus had a flawless game at the plate. He was 3-3, highlighted by his two-run homer in the fourth. 

With the win, the Grizzlies force a winner-take-all game three at home tomorrow at 1PM, weather permitting.