TROY - It's a series that often determines the ultimate winner of the division, and it's a series that almost always guarantees a great two days of baseball.
While the division race has a long way to go, for five innings Tuesday afternoon, the Aviators and Trojans battled through a defensive stalemate. Nursing a 1-0 lead, Butler finally hit paydirt in the sixth inning, scoring eight runs to close out a 9-0 win.
Butler starter Hunter Richardson (3-0) got the start and win for the Aviators, working four innings, allowing just one hit while striking out six Trojans.
It was Richardson (2-for-3, 1 RBI) who got things going at the plate as well for Butler in the first inning, leading off with a hard hit grounder with just enough spin on the ball to allow Richardson to leg out Ryder Kirtley's throw to first.
Austin Flohre (1-for-2, 2 RBI) then hit a clutch, two out double to score Richardson for the early 1-0 lead.
It would stay that way until the sixth inning, when with bases loaded the Trojans freshman pitcher Nathan McDowell, who was impressive all afternoon hit two batters to stretch the Butler lead to 3-0. A ground out RBI and wild pitch put the Aviators up 5-0 and the game on ice.
Mason Reckner, Alex Ables and Owen Strawser put the finishing touches on the win for Butler, notching two additional strikeouts and allowed just one additional run - as the Aviators held Troy batters to just two hits on the day. The win lifts Butler to 7-2 overall and 4-0 in the MVL.
The series will wrap-up Wednesday at 5:00 pm, with the Trojans (7-3, 6-1) making the trip down to Vandalia.
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