VANDALIA - The gray skies and rain were an ominous warning for Tippecanoe - disaster was on the horizon.
Pitcher Troy Taylor and the Red Devils did all that they could to hold the Aviators back Friday afternoon. But in the bottom of the sixth, the dam burst and the Aviators erupted, enroute to a 10-0 run-rule win over rival Tippecanoe.
"Great win tonight," said Butler head coach Trent Dues after the series sweep.
The Aviators jumped on Tipp early, plating two runs in the first inning for a 2-0 lead. Two innings later in the third, Butler added another run for the 3-0 lead.
It would be all that senior pitcher Kaden Echeman (7-0) would need.
The right-hander impressed from the mound all afternoon, striking out eight and only allowed two hits in the shutout win.
In fact - Echeman had a no hitter working through 4 2/3 innings.
"Echeman pitched a nice game and battled out of some situations", said Dues.
For the Red Devils, Taylor did all that he could do to keep Tipp in the game, striking out six. But Tippecanoe had no answer for Echeman and the Aviator defense.
The tidal wave - or you could say title wave came in the sixth inning, as Butler plated seven runs for the walkoff, run-rule win.
Sophomore Cayden Borchers ripped a bases clearing triple to secure the series sweep and clinch the outright Miami Valley League title.
"It's always nice winning titles," said Dues.
"Hats off to our players, as they have worked hard to get us to this point and hopefully we've got more to come."