Herald

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The battle of the Prospect League's two best teams began as a classic mismatch.

The Butler BlueSox erupted for 12 runs in the first two innings of Game 1 of the league's best-of-three title series against host Lafayette.

The end result was a 14-1 drubbing of the Aviators that has the Sox just one win away from a championship.

Game 2 will be played at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Kelly Automotive Park.

“Our hitters knew that Pavin (Parks, starting pitcher) was going to go out and do a really good job for us,” said Butler manager Cody Herald. “I think that allowed them to be aggressive and they went to the plate with confidence.”

The Sox scored seven runs in the top of the first against Lafayette's Jarrett Hammel, all with two outs.

Stefan Mrkonja clubbed a three-run home run. Damian Maglione doubled in two runs while Rey Gonzalez and Justin Kirkpatrick both singled home a run in the opening frame.

The ambushed Aviators never recovered, scoring just the one run on eight hits against Parks, who struck out eight and walked two in a complete game.

“Any time your starting pitcher goes the whole game, it's very big,” Herald said. “Your bullpen can relax. If you think about it, our bullpen will have (four) days of rest before Game 2.”

Butler's 18-hit onslaught was led by a quartet of players with three hits — Tanner Murphy, Brady Gulakowski, Maglione and Mrkonja, who added a pair of doubles to his home run.

The Sox will now return home, where the team has thrived this season with a 20-10 record. That includes a 15-2 effort in their last 17 games at the KAP.

“I'm hoping for a good atmosphere. It's been good all year,” said Herald. “Our fans need to know that we are doing this for them. There's nothing better than coming home to win a championship in front of your fans.”