Butler shortstop Darren Blakley chases Riverside's Coulten Bunney during a third-inning rundown Monday in the Golden Tornado's 15-13 victory over the Panthers.

BUTLER TWP — When a team scores 15 runs on nine hits, it must have received some help along the way — and Butler gladly accepted it.

Golden Tornado batters took 16 walks and Butler survived a potent Riverside offense in a 15-13 win at Highfield Park Monday.

Riverside showed up with only 10 players, forcing starter Justin King and reliever and eventual loser Justin McCanna each to two separate stints on the mound.

The biggest meltdown for the Panthers came in the bottom of the third inning, when McCanna walked six batters, including three straight with the bases loaded.

"It was all about the walks in the third inning," said Butler coach Dave Florie. "Our kids showed discipline at the plate. They were going up there to hit the ball, but when you're not getting strikes, you'll take the walk.

"We also had a few timely hits," added Florie.

Eric King (two), Bill Coleman, Luke Dugger and Andy Onufrak all collected RBI singles in the inning as Butler sent 15 men to the plate.

Still, the Tornado could not put the Panthers (5-6) away.

After seeing a 5-2 lead buried by Butler's 10-run third inning, Riverside tallied three runs in the fourth inning and three more in the fifth to cut its deficit to 14-11 entering the bottom of the fifth.

Brian Warheit, who was Butler's third pitcher of the day following Greg Hays and Dallas O'Donnell, entered the game with one out in the top of the fifth inning.

The senior ended up striking out four, walking none and surrendered two runs on two hits in 2X\c innings for the save.

"You look at those first few innings, that's not good," Florie said of his team's pitching. "It was very refreshing to see Brian come in and settle things down."

Hays started the game for Butler (6-6, 1-5) and pitched three innings, giving up five runs on seven hits.

O'Donnell allowed six runs on four hits.

Riverside 131 331 1—13 15 4Butler 11 (10) 210 x—15 9 1WP: Dallas O'Donnell (1⅓ IP) 0 strikeouts, 2 walks.

LP: Justin McCanna (2/3 IP) 0 strikeouts, 6 walks

Riverside (5-6): Bruce Prisuta 3-1B 2B 2R RBI SB, Steve Lowry 1B 2-2B R 2RBI SB, Bud Main 2-2B 3R RBI, Justin McCanna 1B 2B 2R RBI, Matt Nemec 1B 3RBI

Butler (6-6): Darren Blakley 2R, Dustin Uhlman 2R RBI, Andy Onufrak 1B 2B 2R RBI, Jordan Roycroft R 2RBI, Dallas O'Donnell 1B 2R 2RBI, Ryan Geibel 2B RBI, Eric King 2-1B R 2RBI 2SB, Bill Coleman 1B 2R 2RBI SB, Luke Dugger 2-1B 2R RBI, Chaz Danilchak R SB

Wednesday: Shaler at Butler