Aviators Sweep Troy With 5-4 Win

Photo By: Vandalia-Butler City Schools

DAYTON — The stage was bigger, but the storyline remained the same: two MVL heavyweights, locked in another tight, high-stakes battle. And once again, Butler found a way.

Playing under the lights at Day Air Ballpark—the visiting Aviators again came through with a clutch sixth-inning rally to pull out a 5-4 win Wednesday night, staying perfect on the season at 10-0, 5-0.

As expected, the latest chapter of this rivalry delivered all the drama.

The Trojans jumped on the board early with back-to-back RBI hits in the first from Hayden Frey and Carsen Riddle, but the Aviators responded in the third when Max Rubins capped off a gritty six-pitch at-bat with a game-tying RBI single to left.

Troy reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning, but the Aviators counterpunched again.

First defensively, with one out and the Trojans threatening to extend their lead, Rubins made an amazing play, snagging what was destined to be an RBI double off the bat of Matthew Hempker. The senior shortstop then quickly flipped the ball to Koby Dues at third, as Troy’s Logan Akers attempted to skurry back for an inning ending double play.

An error opened the door in the fourth, and Jackson Schilling made it count with an RBI single down the right field line to give Butler a 4-3 edge.

Still, the Trojans wouldn’t go quietly. Aidan Gorman launched a solo shot to right in the fifth to tie the game at four, setting the stage for a decisive sixth inning.

Dues got the inning started with a leadoff triple, a laser shot to centerfield that rattled around the warning track. Schilling followed up with a six pitch walk.

That’s when Paxton Dwenger delivered.

With two aboard, the junior stepped up and laced a go-ahead single that gave Butler a 5-4 lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

Hunter Richardson got the win, tossing six strong innings while striking out seven and issuing no free passes.

Dues came in to slam the door shut and earn the save, sealing another one-run win in what’s becoming a season defined by resilience and execution.

Rubins starred at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs out of the seven-hole. Schilling added a pair of hits and an RBI, while Butler racked up 10 hits on the night.

Gorman led Troy with three hits, including the home run, while Frey and Riddle each chipped in RBI knocks.

Under bright lights the Aviators proved once again they’re built for the moment—delivering in the clutch and staying unbeaten..