The Butler BlueSox couldn’t consistently find the zone, which helped the visiting Creekside Crocs to get in theirs.

The hosts walked nine batters and hit another three with pitches Thursday night, resulting in a 17-8 defeat in seven innings. The clash, which was the first half of a doubleheader against the Youngstown-based guests, was played at Michelle Krill Field at Historic Pullman Park.

“It’s just walks,” BlueSox coach Dan Helgert said. “We’re scoring enough runs, we’re playing good defense. We’re just walking too many people.”

Butler’s starting pitcher, Gardner-Webb’s Trevor Wilson, got out of each of the initial two innings by stranding a runner at third, while his offense provided an early 3-0 lead.

To get the third frame underway, Wilson issued consecutive four-pitch walks to Chase Thurber and Kyle Hunt. Both of them wound up coming across.

In the inning that followed, the Crocs (10-8) batted around, posting six runs thanks in part to Wilson’s lack of command. He was pulled after he struck Matt Hultquist with the bases full.

Butler (7-11-1) got back within three runs going into the final inning. Five scores came with the help of five eighth-inning knocks, including RBI hits by Justin Branigan, Andrew Tkatch, and Ben Aftanas. Andrew Bokulich added a sacrifice fly during that turn and had a three-hit evening.

The BlueSox totaled 14 hits and the Crocs 15.

“We were sound as far as hitting the ball today, even our outs were hard outs,” Creekside coach Bob Mingo said.

Middle infielder Seth Helgert entered to pitch the seventh inning, one in which the Crocs batted around again and put the game far out of reach by collecting four straight RBI hits.

“I had to save arms for this weekend,” Helgert said, adding that his team has four games in the coming days.

Trent Bielak made the start for the BlueSox in the nightcap. The second leg ended too late for press.