The Birthday Boy, Butler Dismantle Defiance 14-1

VANDALIA — “What a great day for the birthday boy.”

Coach Trent Dues said it simply. Carson Perry made it look simple too — complete game, no earned runs, 14-1 final over previously undefeated and PBR Ohio D-III fourth-ranked Defiance.

Not a bad way to turn 18.

For a Butler program sitting as the second ranked team in those same PBR Ohio D-III rankings, Saturday’s win in the PBR Ohio Spring Classic wasn’t just a statement — it was a measuring stick moment against the best opponent the Aviators had faced all season.

Butler (8-0, 3-0) didn’t just pass the test — they aced it.

The Aviators didn’t waste any time making Defiance uncomfortable. In the bottom of the first, Paxton Dwenger launched a two-run double to left field, scoring Koby Dues and Jack Egbert, and then a Defiance error plated a third run. Just like that, Butler was up 3-0 before the Bulldogs could blink.

Meanwhile, Perry was in command from the jump. Pitching against a dangerous and deep Bulldog lineup, the senior righty worked efficiently through the order — allowing just four hits over five innings, walking three, and striking out two. Defiance’s lone run came across in the final frame.

“Just an awesome day for Carson,” said Dues.

Butler kept the pressure on in the third, pushing across three more runs to go up 6-0. Tate Richardson lined a single to left field to score a run, and Aidan White followed with a single to left that scored another. Defiance starter Jaren Honsberger was working diligently but couldn’t keep Butler off the board — he’d finish the day allowing six runs, just two earned, over three innings.

Dwenger added another hit in the third as well, continuing what would be a standout afternoon at the plate for the senior third baseman.

If there was any doubt about how this game would end, the bottom of the fourth erased it completely.

Butler sent 11 batters to the plate and scored eight runs in an inning that featured hard contact, Defiance miscues, and clutch two-out hitting. Davis Ketterer singled to left to score two. Dues followed with a single to center to drive in two more, pushing the lead to 10-0. Then Egbert singled on a hard ground ball to bring home three runs and push the score to 13-0. Dwenger put the finishing touch on the inning with a single to left, scoring one more.

Eight runs. Five hits. An inning (and day) Defiance would like to forget.

“Paxton Dwenger and Aidan White had big days swinging the bat,” Dues said. “We played some good defense. Got some bunts down and timely hitting — which is a good recipe for victory.”

Dwenger finished 3-for-3 with a double, three RBI, and three runs scored. White went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Dues added two hits, two RBI, and two runs scored. Egbert reached base multiple times and scored four runs on the day. This was a complete offensive effort up and down the lineup.

Eight wins. Butler is rolling to start the young season — but the Aviators aren’t patting themselves on the back.

“Two big ones Monday and Tuesday,” Dues said. “Let’s see if we can keep it up.”

Those two games are against Troy, who comes in at 8-0 overall and 5-0 in league play — sitting atop the standings and the next test on Butler’s schedule.

But if Saturday was any indication — a gem of a game from Perry, Dwenger and White combining for six hits, and an offense that answered every call — the Aviators are playing their best baseball at exactly the right time.

Happy birthday, Carson Perry. That’s one to remember.