Butler Finds A Way Against Piqua

PIQUA — There are nights like Thursday — where the only thing that matters is finding a way.

Butler found one.

It certainly wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t easy. But the Aviators (19–0, 14–0 MVL) clawed out a 5–2 win on the road against a determined Piqua team, using just enough at the plate and just enough from the mound when it counted.

Butler struck first. Koby Dues singled in the opening frame to score a run, and the Aviators added another in the third on a Piqua miscue to take a 2–0 lead.

But it didn’t hold.

The Indians tied it in the fourth, using a bunt, a base hit, and just enough pressure to flip the energy at Hardman Field.

Butler walked nine times. They scored on a wild pitch. They made three hits stretch like seven.

And in the fifth, they did what good teams do — they took an opening and turned it into a lead.

Tied 2–2, Davis Ketterer rolled a sharp single into center to bring home the go-ahead run. A few batters later, a wild pitch made it 4–2 — and the Aviators didn’t give it back.

Ketterer did more than drive in the winning run. He came on in relief and steadied the ship, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings without a walk, striking out two, and allowing just one hit. In a game full of tight spots, he kept things simple and got outs when they were needed most.

Tate Richardson got the start and battled through 3.1 innings, holding Piqua to two unearned runs while striking out three. He gave Butler a chance to settle in and did his job in a gritty, high-pressure setting.

Offensively the Aviators didn’t overwhelm. But they outlasted.

Brody Miller led the offense from the nine-hole, going 2-for-4. Ketterer and Max Rubins each added a hit and reached base twice.

They forced nearly 140 pitches out of the Piqua staff, drew nine walks, and wore down an Indians team that refused to go away. Four players — Hunter and Tate Richardson, Mason Reckner, and Russell Stratman — each reached base twice via walk.

It wasn’t their sharpest win. But it was one they earned — and one that proved, again, that Butler knows how to take a punch and land one right back.