INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — Xavier Musketeers defeated the Butler Bulldogs 9-2 on Sunday afternoon at Bulldog Park, completing a three-game Big East series sweep behind a six-run sixth inning and a dominant relief performance from Sam Stevens.

Xavier improved to 25-27 overall, while Butler fell to 17-31. The Musketeers outhit the Bulldogs 15-7, with Jorge Valdes leading the way by going 4 for 6 with three RBIs. Butler’s offense was limited to two runs, both driven in by shortstop Logan Crock on a sixth-inning double.

The game began with Xavier jumping ahead in the top of the first. Valdes singled through the left side and later scored on an RBI single by Josh Stonehouse. The Musketeers added two more runs in the second inning, capitalizing on a Butler error. Tommy Townsend singled, advanced to third on a fielding error by shortstop Landon Mensik, and scored along with Townsend on a two-run single by Valdes.

Butler responded in the bottom of the third. Logan Crock walked, moved to third on a hit by pitch and a wild pitch, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Gavin Gilmore to cut the deficit to 3-1.

The pivotal moment came in the top of the sixth inning. With a 3-1 lead, Xavier erupted for six runs on five hits and two Butler errors. Tanner Thomas led off with a single and scored on Valdes’ third hit of the game, a single to pitcher. After a throwing error by third baseman Clay Burdette, Valdes scored on a wild pitch, and then Jonathan Fitz delivered an RBI single. Luke Hammond singled, and Thomas capped the rally with a two-run single to make it 9-1.

Butler halved the margin in the bottom of the sixth. Logan Baker reached on a fielding error by first base, advanced on a single, and scored on Crock’s two-run double. But the Bulldogs could not get closer. Xavier’s bullpen combination of Sam Stevens, Eli Bridenthal, Joey Young, and Sam Eppley shut down Butler over the final three innings.

Stevens, the top star for Xavier, pitched three scoreless innings in relief, allowing no hits and striking out two. He entered in the fourth inning and retired the first nine batters he faced, keeping Butler off the board after Mason Poole had started the game with three innings of one-run ball. Stevens’ performance continued a strong stretch; in his previous outing on May 2 against Georgia Tech, he threw 2 1/3 innings of one-run relief.

Butler starter Brock Buckley took the loss, allowing eight hits and two earned runs over five innings with two strikeouts. Corbin Snyder pitched two scoreless innings of relief, striking out two, and Alex Kanipe added a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts.

Xavier’s victory followed wins of 12-10 on Saturday and 5-2 on Friday, extending their winning streak over the Bulldogs to three games. The Musketeers are scheduled to host Creighton for a three-game series starting Thursday, while Butler travels to Saint John’s for a series beginning the same day.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Xavier 5, Butler 4, and the Interstat ELO system gave Xavier a 76.60 percent probability to win the game.