MYRTLE BEACH, SC - The Aviators (6-1,2-1) scored a big win over the Hornets of Herndon, VA Tuesday afternoon with an impressive 13-0 run-rule victory.
Coming into the game, the meeting between perennial powers looked to be a marquee match-up, but the Aviators tandem of timely hitting and great pitching quickly turned the contest into a lopsided affair that went just five innings.
"This was a thing of beauty," said Butler head coach Trent Dues after the victory.
Sophomore lefty Hunter Richardson (2-1) earned the win for Butler, pitching 4 2/3 innings and allowed just two hits while striking out six. Senior Tyler Bradford came on in relief and retired the final batter for the win.
Up 1-0 in the top of the third inning, Sam Mitchell (2-for-2, 3 RBI) ripped a two-run double to left field, putting Butler up 3-0 and sparking a five-run inning to blow the game wide open.
The exclamation point would come in the top of the fifth, when senior Adam Townsend’s two-run triple to left field solidified the run-rule win at 13-0.
In addition to Townsend’s triple, Malachi Freels, Cayden Borchers (3 RBI) and Hunter Richardson (1-for-2) each doubled.
Jayden Watkins went 1-for-1 with an RBI, Alex Ables finished 1-for-2 with an RBI and Russ Stratman went 2-for-3 with two runs.
The Aviators will get a day off on Wednesday and will wrap-up the Ripken Series with a 6:30 pm tilt against Kentucky power Boyd County (9-1).
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