INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – In the series finale on Sunday afternoon, the Butler Bulldogs (9-16 OVERALL, 4-7 BIG EAST) used an eight run fifth inning to surge past the Villanova Wildcats (13-10 OVERALL, 1-8 BIG EAST) in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs plated seven runs with two-outs on three hits in the fifth inning and never looked back.
 
Tyler Arella (East Northport, N.Y.) earned his eighth start of the season on Sunday afternoon. The veteran southpaw tossed 4.1 innings while surrendering four earned runs on five hits and striking out four. Following a clean first frame, Arella yielded a double and two singles and the Bulldogs capitalized on an error to plate the first run.
 
The Villanova offense would make up for the run in the top of the third. AJ Hansen (Collegeville, Pa.) opened the inning with a single to left field before Will Reiner (Madison, Conn.) moved him up with a sacrifice bunt. A wild pitch would move Hansen up to third before Nick Lorusso (Monroe, Conn.) hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield which scored Hansen. The Wildcats would load the bases with two outs, but the Bulldogs would escape the pressure.
 
In the bottom of the third, Butler would capitalize on two walks as Freddie Matos sent a two-out double into left field scoring two runs. Arella would minimize the damage finishing the inning with a strikeout. In the top of the fourth inning, the Wildcats returned the favor with two runs on two hits. Dylan McNary (Jefferson, Mass.) opened the inning with a single to right center which was followed by back-to-back walks. Will Reiner hit a sacrifice fly to cut into the deficit before Chris Rotondo (Redding, Conn.) singled up the middle to even the score.
 
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Butler offense exploded for eight runs, seven of which came with two outs. The Bulldogs capitalized on seven free passes while adding two singles and a two-run homerun which capped off the inning.
 
Danny Wilkinson (Scotch Plains, N.J.) was dominant out of the bullpen for the Wildcats. The sophomore made his 12^th appearance this spring and tossed 3.1 innings without allowing a hit. The lefty struck out a season-high six batters tying his career-best. Dylan McNary led the Wildcats offense tallying a multi-hit performance.
 
Villanova will return to the diamond on Friday, Apr. 30 when they host Xavier at Villanova Ballpark in Plymouth Meeting. The conference showdown is scheduled to include a four-game weekend series with first pitch on Friday at 3:00 ET. Be sure to follow @VillanovaBaseball on Twitter and @villanovabaseball on Instagram for updates throughout the season.