The BlueSox needed a break-out hit.

Newcomer Chris Eisel provided it.

Playing in his first game for Butler, the Indiana (Pa.) University outfielder delivered a two-run triple to the left-center gap in the eighth inning Saturday night at Kelly Automotive Park. The blow triggered a four--run inning and helped the BlueSox post a 7-1 Prospect League victory over Kokomo (Ind.).

The Fireworks Night crowd of 877 was the BlueSox' largest of the young season.

Butler had lost seven of its previous eight games.

“Yeah, that was a big one,” Butler manager Cody Herald said of Eisel's triple. “We needed another outfielder and a good bat. Hopefully, he will provide that.”

Despite leading IUP with a .383 batting average, 36 runs, 49 hits and 11 doubles this year, Eisel did not have a summer team to play for until the BlueSox reached out.

“I was just going to train all summer,” he said. “I hadn't played a game in a month ... but, no doubt, I'd rather play.”

IUP coach Anthony Rybanski is a former BlueSox manager who clued Eisel in on Butler.

“Rabi recommended I come here. They needed someone and he said it's a good place to play,” Eisel said.

“I just got here at 2:30 (p.m. on Saturday). I appreciate the fact they had enough confidence to put me in the lineup right away. I was brought in to help (fellow center fielder) Chuba.”

After being shut out 4-0 Friday night, Butler got on the board in the first inning Saturday when Colton Carney hit a solo homer to left with two outs.

The home run was Carney's first with the BlueSox. He hit three for Seton Hill this spring.

“I'm more of a doubles guy,” Carney said. “That was a fastball and I was able to square it up.

“Our bats were quiet last (Friday) night. They came alive tonight.”

The blast gave Butler starting pitcher Nick Fuchs a lead he never lost. The right-hander worked five innings, allowed three hits and left with a 3-1 lead. He struck out five and threw 83 pitches.

Tre Thomas threw two scoreless innings of relief, Kevin Norton and Butler graduate Wyatt Daugherty one each.

“Your pitcher puts up a zero in the first inning, you want to come back and score at least one yourself,” Herald said. “That's what made that home run so important. It gave us a positive start.”

Herald only hopes that positive start continues this week. The BlueSox embarked on a six-game road trip Sunday that involves stops in four different towns.

Butler does not play again at Kelly Automotive Park until this Sunday, when Champion City comes in for a 4:05 p.m. contest.

“We're going to find out what we're made of this week,” Herald said. “It's the longest road trip of the year and it will be a challenge.

“We can't enjoy this win too much. We have to get on a bus and drive nine hours to play tomorrow. We need to get on a positive streak here.”

Chuba doubled and singled for the BlueSox on Saturday. Carney also doubled and scored two runs. Damian Maglione tripled, singled and scored twice.

Austin Mettica doubled home the lone run for Kokomo (6-6) in the fifth inning.

Butler's road trip got off to a rough start Sunday night with a 7-6 loss at Lafayette (Ind.). The Aviators (5-11) scored twice in the ninth to win. Kam Smith hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game and Ben Tharp scored the winning run on an infield error.

Thomas was the losing pitcher in relief. Knoch graduate Cole Shinsky started on the mound for Butler. He worked 4.2 innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He struck out three and walked three.

Mike McGee paced the BlueSox (4-11) with a double, two singles and RBI. Ryan Haff had a double, single and RBI, Eisel a double and two RBI.

Smith had a homer, double and four RBI for Lafayette.

Kokomo 000 010 000 — 1 4 2

Butler BlueSox 100 200 04x — 7 9 1

W: Nick Fuchs 5IP (5K, 2BB). L: Mike Pachmayer 3.2IP (1K, 1BB).

Kokomo (6-6): Marcos Sanchez 1B, Alex Dorethy 1B, John Sechen 1B, Austin Mettica 2B RBI

BlueSox (4-11): Andrew Chuba 2B 1B, Colton Carney HR 2B RBI, Chris Eisel 3B 2-RBI 2-R, Damian Maglione 3B 1B RBI 2-R, Nick Mancuso 1B, Ray Scala 2B RBI

Monday: Butler at Springfield (Ill.), 6:35 p.m.