Richardson Wins Marquee Matchup, Butler Blasts Piqua

VANDALIA — Friday’s game had all the markings of a pitcher’s duel.

Two of the Miami Valley League’s strikeout leaders on the mound — Piqua’s Hunter Steinke, and Butler’s Hunter Richardson. Both talented. Both battle-tested. Both capable of shutting down a lineup when they find their rhythm.

But only one got the chance to settle in.

The Aviators jumped all over Steinke with a seven-run first inning and never looked back, cruising to an 11–1 win.

Richardson (5–0) did his part, striking out 10 over five innings of work while allowing just four hits, one walk, and a single earned run. His fastball had life, his curve had bite, and Piqua never found their footing.

Butler didn’t wait around to see Steinke’s best stuff — a respected arm with the MVL’s highest strikeout total entering the day. Butler showed him full respect, and then they showed their bats.

Jackson Schilling and Paxton Dwenger started the early rally with RBI singles. Tate Richardson followed with a two-run shot up the middle. Then came an error, a Brody Miller RBI single, and Hunter Richardson helping his own cause with a line-drive knock that made it 7–0 before the seats had warmed.

It wasn’t personal. It was just Butler baseball.

The Aviators racked up 18 hits — eight different players with multi-hit games — and applied pressure in every inning. Richardson, Miller, Dues, Dwenger, Schilling, Max Rubins, Mason Reckner, and Tate Richardson each had two hits. Miller and Hunter Richardson both drove in a pair.

Dues closed the game with a scoreless sixth, striking out two in a quick, clean inning.

Piqua got hits from Anthony, Brown, Branam, and Shawler, with Anthony driving in their lone run in the fourth.

But this night belonged to the Aviators — balanced, focused, and ruthless at the plate.

Butler 17–0 (12–0 MVL) will host #7 ranked University School (14-2) on Saturday at 3:00 pm, in a Division III top ten battle.