To say that William Freeman has Butler's number would be an understatement.

For the second straight time, Kokomo's pitcher worked a complete game in defeating the BlueSox, this time striking out 12 and allowing just four hits in an 11-1 Prospect League baseball win Friday at Kelly Automotive Park.

Two weeks ago, Freeman fanned 10 while going the distance in a 4-3 victory, also at the KAP.

“I thought he pitched better tonight than he did the first time,” said Butler assistant coach Josh Forbes. “He was locating his fastball, curveball, change-up, everything. The first four or five innings, with the shadows on the field, those pitches are tough to pick up.”

Even with Friday's win, Kokomo (11-17) is still in the cellar of the East Division standings. But the Jackrabbits' chances of winning improve greatly when Freeman takes the mound. He is now 3-1 on the season, sporting a 2.51 ERA with 53 strikeouts and 13 walks in 39 1/3 innings pitched.

It didn't help Butler's cause that the Sox were down 3-0 before they even picked up the bats. Kokomo greeted Butler starter Bryce Spak with a three-run first inning.

Andrew Curran's single was the only hit in the frame, but a hit-batsman and a walk contributed to the rough start.

“It makes it tough, when you're down 3-0 early against their best pitcher,” said Forbes.

Spak settled down, retiring the Jackrabbits in order in the second and third, but ran into more trouble in the top of the fourth.

Luke Fegen singled in Imani Willis and Romero Harris clubbed a three-run home run for a 7-0 lead. The blast prompted a pitching change as Stefan Mrkonja relieved Spak.

“When Bryce is doing what he's supposed to do, he's got run on his fastball and a splitter that is good enough to get swings and misses,” Forbes said. “He looks great in bullpen sessions, but it's a mental thing with him. He needs to translate what he does in the bullpen to how he pitches during the game.”

Freeman didn't allow a hit until Pavin Parks' single in the fourth. The former's bid at a shutout was spoiled in the bottom of the ninth inning when James Meeker's single chased home Calvin Scott.

Mrkonja, Derek West and Zach Henderson each pitched in relief for the BlueSox (13-13).

Butler begins a two-game series at Chillicothe on Saturday.

Kokomo 300 400 103 — 11 13 0

Butler 000 000 001 — 1 4 1

W: William Freeman 9 IP (12K, 2BB). L: Bryce Spak 3+ IP (2K, 1BB).

Kokomo (11-17): Jarrod Watkins R, Andrew Curran 2-1B 2R, Alex Del Rio R, Storm Joop 1B 2R RBI, Imani Willis 3-1B 3B 2R 2RBI, Colin Butkiewicz 3-1B R 2RBI, Luke Fegen 1B R 2RBI, Romero Harris HR 4RBI, Frankie Jezioro 1B

Butler (13-13): Ben Carew 1B, Pavin Parks 1B, Calvin Scott R, James Meeker 1B RBI, Damian Maglione 1B

Saturday: Butler at Chillicothe