Butler Downs Golden Eagles 6-1

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — The Aviators closed out a perfect showing at The Ripken Experience on Thursday, knocking off a strong Johnson Central squad 6–1 to improve to 4–0 on the young season.

Butler set the tone early, striking for three runs in the top of the first inning. Paxton Dwenger delivered a sacrifice fly that brought in two runs, and Russell Stratman followed with an RBI single to build upon the lead.

From there, the Aviators rode strong pitching and lockdown defense the rest of the way.

Starter Mason Reckner (1-0) was efficient and effective on the mound, tossing three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, striking out four, and walking none. Junior Carson Perry came on in relief and handled the next 3.1 innings, surrendering one run on four hits with three strikeouts and no free passes. Sophomore Tate Richardson closed out the win for Butler, striking out both batters faced.

But it wasn’t just the arms getting it done.

In the fourth inning, shortstop Max Rubins made one of the game's defining plays—ranging to his right to snag a scorching grounder before making an acrobatic throw to first for the out. Just two batters later, Rubins, Dwenger, and first baseman Hunter Richardson turned a smooth inning-ending double play to snuff out a potential Johnson Central rally.

Reckner helped his cause at the plate, going 2-for-4 to lead the Aviators’ offense. Rubins swiped two bases as part of Butler’s aggressive five-steal effort. Defensively, the Aviators were flawless, playing error-free baseball and flashing crisp execution all afternoon. Jackson Schilling turned in another solid night behind the plate.

Johnson Central (6–3) scattered six hits, with Kyler Callaham, Kaleb Callaham, Andrew Meeks, Dalton Boner, Kaden Litteral, and Chase Preece each tallying one. Boner drove in the Golden Eagles’ only run.

Butler (4-0) returns home on a wave of momentum that they will look to keep rolling as they are set to host the Greenville Green Wave on Monday at 5:00 pm.