WEEKEND SERIES HIGHLIGHTS - Presbyterian at Radford

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After leading Radford to a series-opening win over Presbyterian with his second shutout of the season, right-hander Eddie Butler was named Crons Brand Big South Pitcher of the Week for April 23-29.
 
Butler pitched the Highlanders (25-18, 10-5 Big South) to a 7-0 win over Presbyterian on Friday night.  He struck out nine, one shy of matching his career-high -- including striking out the side in the ninth inning.  Butler got out of an early jam in the third inning as PC loaded the bases with two outs but escaped without any damage.  He retired the side in order five times, including the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, and held the Blue Hose to just five hits.
 
For Butler, it was his second shutout in three starts (Fairleigh Dickinson – April 13), the third complete game in his last four outings and the fifth consecutive start where he worked into the eighth inning.
 
Additionally on Friday, Butler became just the third pitcher in Radford history to strike out more than 200 batters in a career (201). His 20 career wins are second all-time, as Butler passed former major-leaguer and RU Hall-of-Famer Phil Leftwich (1988-90).  Butler is now four wins away from matching Jim Abbott's school record of 24.
 
This season, Butler is 5-3 with a 2.03 ERA and .200 batting average against – Butler leads Big South starters in both ERA and opponent average.
 
Radford breaks for exams before resuming Big South action on Friday night at Gardner-Webb.