KETTERING - For the second straight season, the Aviators are Sectional Champions.  Monday evening's 7-4 victory over Miamisburg marks the 6th time in seven seasons that Butler has advanced to the District Finals.

On the mound for Butler was senior Tony Cono.  Coming off of a 14 strikeout performance against Piqua, Cono was solid once again for the Aviators.

The righty again went the distance, pitching seven innings while striking out seven.

Offensively the Aviators provided plenty of backup for their pitcher, peppering Vikings starter Colby Clark for 8 hits.

Sophomore Chase Goulette and junior Dillon Bell led Butler with 2 RBI each.  Senior Jordan Martin, junior Trey Clements, and sophomore Chris Mayhill each added RBI's as well. 

VANDALIA - The GWOC's hottest team showed no signs of cooling down Wednesday evening, picking up their sixth straight win, with an 8-2 victory over Fairborn.

The Aviators got a solid performance from pitcher Taylore Cherry (3-0).  The 6'9 freshman easily had his finest performance of the season, striking out seven and pitching a complete game.  After the game head coach Trent Dues echoed those sentiments.  "That was a heck of a pitching job," said Dues.  "We just saw what he's capable of.  He's capable of dominating the game."

The visiting Skyhawks were able to keep things close through four innings.  Sophomore Chris Mayhill's two-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning was the demoralizing shot that would ultimately blow the game wide open.

Offensively for the Aviators Jordan Martin, Mike Radominski, and Mayhill teamed up for 2 RBI each.  Trey Clements and Tony Cono combined for two runs when each stole home plate.

SIDNEY - What's better than beating a team's ace?  Beating that ace twice.  That is just what the Aviators did Monday evening, knocking off division foe Sidney 5-3.

After handing pitcher Cory Echols his first loss of the season last week, the Butler baseball team spoiled yet another afternoon for the Yellow Jackets top pitcher.

On the mound for the Aviators was senior Kevin Ralston (6-1), who picked up his sixth win of the season.  Ralston pitched four innings, striking out five batters.  Fellow senior Tony Cono came on in the fifth inning, striking out five enroute to his sixth save of the season.

Quite possibly the key play of the game came in the bottom of the fourth inning.  With Sidney threatening a two out rally, sophomore leftfielder Chase Goulette  made an acrobatic, inning ending catch, saving two runs from scoring.

Offensively for the Aviators, Cono had 2 RBI and senior second baseman Darren Himsworth added an RBI with a squeeze play in the fourth inning.  Junior shortstop Dillon Bell scored twice for Butler.

Monday's win improves the Aviators record to 12-6 overall and 8-1 in the GWOC North.  With a two game lead over Sidney in the league standings, the Aviators control their own destiny.

Butler returns home Wednesday to play host to the Fairborn Skyhawks.  Game time is set for 5:00 PM.
[PHOTOS]

TROTWOOD - The Aviators finished a perfect week of baseball Friday evening at Trotwood, blowing past the Rams 22-1.

The win was Butler's fourth straight, and more importantly improved the Aviators conference record to 7-1.

Junior pitcher Kyle Blakely cruised to his first win of the season, overwhelming the Rams all day.

Offensively Butler set the tone in the first inning, battering Trotwood for 14 runs.  The deficit was far too much for the overmatched Rams to recover.

The Aviators will take a break this Saturday for prom festivities, but will resume play Monday evening at Sidney.  Butler leads the Yellowjackets by a game in the GWOC North.

Butler JV Pounds Lebanon

VANDALIA - The Aviators tightened their grip on first place in the GWOC North Thursday night, knocking off the visiting Troy Trojans 6-4.

Senior pitcher Tony Cono picked up his first win of the season, and it was a big one.  The crafty right-hander turned in a solid effort, striking out six and going the distance on the hill. 

Trailing the whole game, the Trojans finally rallied in the fifth inning, plating three runs to take a 4-3 lead.  But the Troy jubilation would be short lived.  Butler catcher Lance Straley's moonshot to left field in the bottom half evened the affair at 4-4.

VANDALIA - The Aviators bruised and battered yet another GWOC pitcher Wednesday night, clobbering the Piqua Indians 14-5.

Picking up where they left off the night before, Butler's bats terrorized the Indians for six innings, scattering twelve hits.

Senior outfielder Mike Radominski led the Aviators with 3 RBI.  Dillon Bell, Chase Goulette and Lance Straley added two RBI each, while junior Trey Clements had a triple and an RBI.

VANDALIA - The Aviators ended their losing skid with authority Tuesday night, run-ruling Sidney 12-2, taking over the top spot in the GWOC North. 

After a rough weekend of baseball, the Aviators exorcised their demons with a dominating display of offense and solid pitching.

Senior hurler Kevin Ralston (5-1) picked up his fifth win of the season, and remained unbeaten as a starter.  Ralston pitched 4 2/3 innings, striking out six before giving way to junior Nick Hansman.

ENGLEWOOD - After coming up just short Friday evening in Springboro, the Aviators were hoping to bounce back with two wins on Saturday.  Unfortunately for the purple and gold it was more heartache.  Not once...but twice, ending the weekend on a losing skid.

Butler traveled across the dam to face neighboring Tippecanoe and Northmont in a Saturday doubleheader.  In game one the Aviators battled back and forth with the Red Devils, trading leads, hits, and crafty pitches.  In the end Tipp would prevail 6-4.

Looking to salvage the day, Butler jumped up on host Northmont early in game two, plating four runs in the first inning.  Senior outfielder Kyle Coby highlighted the inning with a three run double.

SPRINGBORO - They could have charged an admission fee to Friday's game, and it would have been worth every penny.  The Aviators and host Springboro battled back and forth for seven innings, with  the Panthers escaping with a 7-6 win.

Senior pitcher Tony Cono went the distance for Butler, in what was a nailbiter of a game for the large energized crowd on hand.

After a slow start, the Butler offense came alive to take a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning.  Freshman catcher Lance Straley's crushing double to start the inning, led to Darren Himsworth's sacrifice fly, scoring pinch runner Kevin Ralston for the lead.

VANDALIA -  Butler's Kevin Ralston (4-0) has been a force on the mound all season, and the dominance continued Thursday in an 11-1 win over Xenia. 

The senior righty picked up his fourth win of the year, striking out three, walking one, and allowing only one hit through four innings of work.

The Aviators offense attacked early and often led by senior Tony Cono's homerun, double, and 4 RBI performance.  Senior Jordan Martin contributed 2 RBI, and junior shortstop Dillon Bell was two for two with 2 RBI.

VANDALIA -  The Aviators picked up their second conference win Monday afternoon, knocking off Trotwood 12-0. 

Freshman pitcher Taylore Cherry notched his second win of the season, throwing three dominate innings for the Aviators.  Junior Kyle Blakely took over in the 4th inning, striking out the side.

Monday's win improves Butler's record to 6-3 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

VANDALIA -  After starting the day with a lackluster 4-0 loss to Hamilton, the Aviators redeemed themselves with a 6-1 win over Hilliard-Davidson (5-1). 

Senior pitcher Kevin Ralston dominated on the mound for four innings, before giving way to reliever Tony Cono.  Cono closed out the final three innings with an equally impressive outing.

The Aviators offense provided plenty of spark, scattering nine hits over six innings.  Alan Bane got the party started in the first inning with a double and 2 RBI.  Dillon Bell's RBI single in the fourth inning gave Butler a 3-0 lead.  Tony Cono, Mike Radominski, and Darren Himsworth also combined for a total of 3 RBI.

With Saturday evening's win, the Aviators improved to 5-3 on the year, and handed Davidson it's first loss of the season.

VANDALIA -  The Aviators dropped game one of Saturday's double header 4-0 to Hamilton.

Despite a solid pitching effort by sophomore Chris Mayhill and reliever Nick Hansman, the Aviators just could not generate any offense.

The loss to Hamilton drops Butler to 4-3 on the season, while the Big Blue improve to 3-2.

PIQUA -  It looked like a route early on, but the host Piqua Indians stuck around for seven innings Thursday evening, eventually falling to Butler 10-5.

The Aviators lead 9-3 heading into the fifth inning, when Piqua scored two runs narrowing the Butler lead to just four.  That would be as close as the Indians would get, as the Piqua bats fell silent in the sixth and seventh innings.

Senior pitcher Kevin Ralston (2-0) picked up his second win of the season.  Junior relievers Kyle Blakely and Nick Hansman sealed the Butler victory.

Offensively for Butler, freshman catcher Lance Straley was two for four with a homerun and an RBI.  Sophomore Chase Goulette was two for four with a double and 3 RBI, Dillon Bell was also two for four with a double.  Alan Bane and Tony Cono each added an RBI.

Thursday's win over Piqua puts Butler at 4-2 on the season and 1-0 in division play.  The Aviators are off Friday and will be back in action this Saturday at home, when they host the Big Blue of Hamilton and Hilliard-Davidson. 

Late Surge Lifts Aviators Over Fairmont 8-6

KETTERING -  The Aviators overcame frigid conditions and a scrappy Fairmont team Wednesday evening, bringing home an 8-6 victory.

The two teams battled back and forth for most of the game, until the Aviators erupted in the sixth inning, taking the lead for good.

Sophomore pitcher Chris Mayhill picked up his first win of the season, coming in to relieve starter Taylore Cherry.

Offensively for the Aviators, Jordan Martin and Alan Bane both had 2 RBI.  Tony Cono, Lance Straley, Darren Himsworth, and Chase Goulette each added RBI's of their own.

Wednesday's win was a landmark one for head coach Trent Dues who picked up his 300th career win at Butler.  At 300 wins, Dues is the winningest coach in school history.

The Aviators (3-2) open up league play Thursday versus GWOC North foe Piqua.  Game time is set for 5:00 PM at Hardman Field in Piqua. 

COLDWATER -  The Coldwater Cavs may be considered a small school by OHSAA standards, but they play some big time baseball in this part of Mercer County.

The Aviators spilt Saturday's doubleheader at picturesque Veteran's Field, winning the first game 7-5 and dropping the second 4-3.

Freshman pitcher Taylore Cherry notched his first varsity win in the first game of the day.  While senior Tony Cono picked up the save, his second of the season.  Freshman catcher Lance Straley had a double and 2 RBI.

Senior hurler Kevin Ralston (1-0) had a solid outing in game two, but the host Cavs chipped away at Buter's early 3-0 lead, ousting Butler in the bottom of the 7th.

HILLIARD -  Despite an urgent rally, the Butler baseball team came up short Wednesday evening, falling to Hilliard Davidson 10-7.  The loss evens the Aviators record at 1-1 on the season.

The Aviators took an early 3-1 lead in the 2nd inning, by way of a Mike Radominski two run homer.  Davidson however would use a five run 5th inning to blow the game wide open, taking a 9-3 lead.

Butler rallied for 4 runs in the final two innings, but fell short of the comeback.

Offensively for the Aviators, Darren Himsworth was two for three with 2 RBI.  Jordan Martin was a perfect three for three at the plate with an RBI, sophomore Chase Goulette was two for four, and the aforementioned Radominski was two for four.