Aviators Survive Skyhawks Upset Bid 7-6

VANDALIA — There are wins that showcase polish. And then there are wins that show grit.

Butler needed the latter Wednesday night.

What began as another steady night behind Hunter Richardson’s dominant start turned into a late-inning test of nerve, as the Aviators watched a five-run lead vanish in the seventh before walking off Fairborn in the eighth, 7–6, to remain perfect at 13–0, 8-0.

Through five innings, there wasn’t much doubt. Richardson was in full control, striking out 10 and allowing just three hits, none of them loud. He piled up swings and misses with a fastball that stayed on the corners and a breaking ball the Skyhawks couldn't square up. At the plate, he added a triple and drove in two.

But the game turned in the seventh.

Fairborn sent nine batters to the plate and scored six runs on four hits, capitalizing on two walks and a pair of hit batters. Suddenly, the 6–1 cushion was gone, and the Aviators were staring at their first real crisis of the season.

Despite the chaos late, Butler never flinched.

A leadoff single from Mason Reckner started the rally. Paxton Dwenger followed with a walk, and after a pair of outs threatened to end the comeback, Russ Stratman stepped in and delivered. The senior sent a line drive into centerfield, scoring pinch runner Aidan White and tying the game at 6-6.

An inning later, the job was finished.

Jackson Schilling pitched Fairborn’s Jase Duncan into a double play and sat down Alex Lauderman on strikes to calmly quiet the Skyhawks in the top half of the eighth.

The Aviators loaded the bases in the eighth with a Koby Dues walk, Schilling single, and Dwenger taking one for the team. Senior Max Rubins finished it off with the kind of plate discipline that rarely makes headlines—but wins games. The shortstop watched a 3-1 pitch sail high for the winner.

What looked like a dream upset had turned into a nightmare finish for the visiting Skyhawks.

Offensively, Butler stacked 14 hits, led by Dues, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a pair of stolen bases. Mason Reckner and Stratman each added three hits, while Davis Ketterer delivered two of his own from the seven spot.

The Aviators head to Fairborn on Friday for the series finale—still unbeaten and a bit more battle-tested.