Aviators Mount Late Comeback To Top Troy 6-3

VANDALIA — In a matchup that almost always proves to be must-see baseball, Butler once again came up big in crunch time—storming back late to beat Troy, 6-3, in front of a charged-up home crowd Monday evening.

With both teams trading punches in another tightly contested battle, the Aviators saved their best for the bottom of the sixth, erupting for four runs to flip the game and remain undefeated at 8-0, 3-0.

The Trojans jumped out early, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the first before Butler responded with a two-run single from Paxton Dwenger in the third to briefly go ahead. The Trojans countered in the fourth, reclaiming a 3-2 advantage that held until the decisive sixth.

That’s when Butler’s offense—and execution—went to work.

Cooper Rife sparked the rally with a leadoff single, and Russell Stratman followed with a perfectly placed bunt that put runners on first and second with no outs. Brody Miller then played his role to perfection, laying down a sac bunt to advance both runners into scoring position.

Hunter Richardson delivered the breakthrough, lacing a double down the right field line to score Rife and Stratman, pushing Butler back in front, 4-3. Koby Dues followed with a single, and after Jackson Schilling worked a walk, the Aviators pulled off a gutsy steal of home by Richardson to make it 5-3. Mason Reckner then capped the inning by ripping a hard grounder to short that was mishandled, allowing Dues to cross and stretch the lead to 6-3.

On the mound, Davis Ketterer turned in a solid outing, allowing just one earned run over five and two-thirds innings. Dues, after flashing the leather all game at third base with a series of standout plays, came on in relief and slammed the door over the final four outs, striking out three to earn the win.

Richardson and Dwenger each drove in a pair of runs, while Dues, Rife, and Richardson collected two hits apiece in a balanced attack.

Monday’s win was yet another chapter in what has become one of the area’s most competitive and respected baseball rivalries—two heavyweight programs going toe-to-toe, and Butler once again found a way to win when it matters most.

The Aviators are back in action Tuesday hosting Sidney at 5:00 pm.