INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Marian College baseball team stepped out of conference for its final non-conference game on Tuesday when it played host to NCAA Division I Butler University at Marian Baseball Field. The Bulldogs quelled a late rally to pick up a 5-4 victory.

The Knights opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as senior Cody Andrew (Hanover, Ind./Southeastern) hammered a double that bounced off the warning track and over the wall for a ground-rule double. Senior Joel Strode (Canton, Ill./Canton)

The Knights answered with one more in the bottom half on an RBI-single by junior Josh Gerald (Frankfort, Ind./Frankfort) that scored sophomore Josh Terrell (Richmond, Va./Danville CC). Butler cancelled out the run with one of its own in the top of the third to take a 5-2 lead. The Knights would not go down without a fight.

After a pair of scoreless innings for both teams, the Knights posted a run in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to two, 5-3. With two outs, senior Derek Malikian (Charlottesville, Va./New River CC) picked up his second hit with a bunt single and sophomore Chad Morris (Whitestown, Ind./Lebanon) walked to put two on with two out. Once again, Gerald provided the spark as he ripped an RBI-double down the left field line to cut the lead.

The Knights cut the lead to just one in the bottom of the seventh. Andrew walked to lead off the inning and Strode followed with a single. Senior Jason Moon (Anderson, Ind./Anderson) sacrificed the duo to second and third with a bunt. Freshman Mike Keltz (Avon, Ind./Avon) picked up his 21st RBI of the season with a ground-out. However, Strode was stranded on third and the Knights were left to rue a missed opportunity. The score line stood at 5-4.

Knight pitching shut down the Bulldogs the rest of the way and in the bottom of the ninth, it looked as if the Knights would pull out a late-inning win.

Andrew singled up the middle and Strode followed with a walk with one out. With two on and one out, the Knights were unable to bring the runs home and fell, 5-4.

Strode finished 4-for-4 with an RBI while Andrew and Gerald each had a pair of hits. Malikian also added two hits for the Knights. Senior Nick Schmutte (Sheridan, Ind./Sheridan) threw two-and-one-third innings of relief and gave up just two hits. Junior Steve Swain (Danville, Ind./Indiana Tech) and freshman Patrick Midla (Indianapolis, Ind./Bethesda Christian) combined for three-and-two-thirds of scoreless relief.

Marian gets back on the diamond on Thursday when it heads to the University of St. Francis (Ind.) for a crucial doubleheader as it looks to position itself into the MCC Tournament. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Fort Wayne, Ind.