Despite a late surge from a Butler offense that was dormant through the first six innings against Seton Hall starting pitcher Billy Layne Jr., the Pirates survived thanks to a clutch outing from closer Matt Leon to defeat the Bulldogs by a final score of 4-3 and advance to Championship Sunday for the first time since 2011.
Layne Jr. turned in six gritty innings in which the redshirt sophomore right-handed starter worked in and out of trouble to stymie a Butler offense that failed to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities.
Seton Hall’s No. 3 starter found himself in some trouble right off the bat on Saturday afternoon, as he allowed Butler leadoff hitter Zach Jarosz and Tyler Houston to reach base.