A gem on the bump by Connor Coward wasn't enough to carry the Butler BlueSox (0-1) to a win on Thursday, as the Butler BlueSox fell to the West Virginia Miners (1-0) 4-1 at Kelly Automotive Park.

Coward baffled the West Virginia Miners, striking out 12 batters. The Butler BlueSox's pitcher gave up just three hits over seven shutout innings.

The West Virginia Miners' Jordan Branz was perfect at the dish, going 4-4. He singled in the third, fifth, eighth, and ninth innings.

Jacob Belinda handled the Butler BlueSox's lineup with ease, racking up eight strikeouts. Belinda allowed one earned run on five hits and no walks over five innings.

Cody Ballay improved to 1-0 on the year by picking up the win for the West Virginia Miners. Ballay struck out two, walked none and gave up three hits.

Matt Yough (0-1) took the loss for the Butler BlueSox. He lasted just two innings, walked one, struck out one, and allowed four runs.