KOKOMO, Ind. - The Butler BlueSox jumped out to big early lead and never looked back in game one of the 2017 Prospect League Championship Series, defeating the Lafayette Aviators 14-1 at Kokomo Municipal Stadium to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

Stefan Mrkonja (Point Park University) hit a three-run home run to cap off a seven run, six-hit top of the first for the visiting BlueSox. Butler added five more in the second inning, taking full advantage of four doubles and a wild pitch to make it 12-0 after two innings.

The BlueSox made it 13-0 when Calvin Scott (University of Delaware) singled to open the inning, moved to second on a passed ball, went to third on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly from Brady Gulakowski (NC State). 

Lafayette got its lone run in the bottom of the seventh. Trey Bridis (Youngstown State University) led off with a triple and scored two batters later on an RBI groundout by Nick Schrader (UW-Whitewater). 

Butler scored again in the top of the ninth as Mrkonja doubled with two outs and scored on a Tanner Murphy (University of North Florida) two-out RBI double, making the score 14-1.

Pavin Parks (Kent State University) tossed a complete-game gem for the BlueSox while also in the lineup as a hitter. The right-hander gave up just one run on eight hits, walked two and struck out eight on 111 pitches (72 strikes). 

Jarrett Hammel (Saint Joseph's College) took the loss after he started for the Aviators and lasted one inning. The left-hander allowed eight runs on nine hits, walked two and struck out one. Jahborus Smith (Alcorn State University) pitched three innings, allowed four runs on six hits and struck out three. Sean Markley (Westminster College) tossed the final five innings for Lafayette and allowed one run on four hits, walked one and struck out five.

At the plate for Butler, Murphy, Gulakowski, Mrkonja and Damian Maglione (Malone University) all went three-for-five on the night. Scott, Rey Gonzalez (University of North Florida), Justin Kirkpatrick (Ball State University) each had two hits on the night. Mrkonja drove in four runs, Maglione drove in three. Gulakowski, Gonzalez and Kitkpatrick each collected two RBIs on the night, while Murphy drove in one.

Of the 18 Butler hits, nine went for doubles, which tied an all-time Prospect League record. The BlueSox also tied a league record with five double plays on the defensive end. 

Offensively for Lafayette, Bridis and Logan Beaman (Eastern Illinois University) each went two-for-four at the plate. Brian Sharp (University of Missouri), Evan Kennedy (Purdue University), Jawan McAllister (Longwood University) and Ryan Knernschield (Eastern Illinois University) each had one hit.

Friday is a travel day for the teams. Game two of the series is set for 7:05 p.m. at Kelly Automotive Park in Butler, Pa. Logan Beaman (3-2, 5.34) is expected to start on the mound for Lafayette, while Alex Stobert (4-1, 2.07. Tallahassee Community College) is scheduled to start for the BlueSox.

For links to live video, stats, and more, visit the Prospect League Championship Series Central page by clicking here.