PLEASANT HILL - After a 17-2 start to the season, it's fair to say that the Aviators have not faced much adversity this year - well that was until Saturday.
Olentangy Orange jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. To make matters worse, the Aviators bats went cold while the Pioneers were sizzling. Orange compiled nine hits and nine runs, compared to Butler's two hits on the day and an uncharacteristic three errors.
In the end, the PBR Spring Showcase marquee match-up turned into a runaway 9-0 win for the Pioneers.
For the Aviators it' a humbling loss - but one that can be a rallying cry and turning point for a team with an MVL championship and so much more still ahead of them and within reach.
Butler (17-3, 12-1) has a monster of a week on the docket with key series against Piqua on Monday and Tuesday - and a mammoth of a series with Tippecanoe on Wednesday.
In life adversity can reveal many things - only time will tell what it will do for these Aviators.