Tipp sees streak end as Butler run continues
As the season progressed, fans of both teams could see this possibly happening. Last Wednesday, the showdown took place.
Butler was 17-0 and ranked #1 in Ohio, while Tippecanoe was 18-0 and also ranked in the top five. Something had to give.
A huge fifth inning opened up a one-run game. Butler never looked back, cruising to an 11-5 MVL victory over the Red Devils, not only taking over sole possession of first-place in the conference, but maintaining their #1 ranking in Ohio.
Butler jumped out quickly against Cadyn McKinney. Hunter Richardson opened the game with a double for the Aviators and moved up to third on a ground out. Jackson Schilling doubled to center to bring home courtesy runner Koby Dues to give the visiting squad from Butler a 1-0 lead.
Tipp had their chances early, leaving runners in scoring position numerous times in the game. In the opening frame, Preston Zumwalt singled and Carson Jackson walked to set up the Red Devils in prime position. Both runners remained on their bases as the next three batters were all retired to remain down 1-0.
In the second inning, Tipp went back to work again. James Merry walked and was picked off at first. In the third, the Red Devils put two more runners on. Bryce Eckert walked, Zumwalt singled and both runners moved up, putting Tipp in prime position to score. McKinney and Landon Muhlenkamp struck out to leave the runners again on base.
In the fourth, Tipp loaded the bases but Zumwalt lined out to Dues at third, making a diving catch toward the infield and leaving the bases loaded for the Red Devils.
In the fifth, Butler went to work. Mason Reckner singled to bring home Brody Miller, Paxton Dwenger singled in a run, Hunter Richardson then singled to bring home two more runners and the Aviators led 5-0.
Tipp scored in the fifth when Merry singled to score AJ Jergens.
Butler scored two more runs in the sixth on a two-run double from Schilling, and four more runs came across the plate in the seventh before Tipp closed the game with a four run seventh, thanks to Eckert’s two-run single and an RBI from Zumwalt.bb
