Some late offense was the deciding factor in a comeback win for Trinity (Whitesville) on Monday, defeating Butler County 8-5 to advance to the 12th District Championship.
The Raiders got on the board after a scoreless first inning, scoring the first run of the game on an error and then getting an RBI double from senior Mason Mattingly to take a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the second. However, a pair of defensive miscues of Trinity’s own allowed the Bears to grab two runs in the bottom half of the inning to knot things up at 2-2.
The Raiders were able to bounce back and grab a run in the top of the fourth and the top of the fifth, getting an RBI single from freshman Will Hernadez and an RBI double from junior Nathan Hernandez to take a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the fifth. But the lead didn’t stay with Trinity long, as Butler County rattled off three runs to take a 5-4 lead into the sixth.
However, the Raiders had an answer, getting runners on first and third quickly after an error and a walk to start the top of the sixth. This led to an RBI single from junior Landon Huff to tie the game at 5-5, before getting a two-run triple from junior Gavin Howard.
Howard then scored on a passed ball during the following at-bat, giving Trinity a late 8-5 lead going into the bottom of the sixth. It was then that Huff closed the door by keeping Butler County scoreless for the last two innings to grab the complete-game 8-5 and advance to the 12th District Championship.
Huff tossed all seven innings, allowing five runs—two earned—on four hits, no walks and 13 strikeouts en route to the win. Howard led the way at the plate for the Raiders, serving as the only player to have two RBIs on the day.
Trinity will have its chance the claim the title in a quick turnaround, as they will go toe-to-toe with Edmonson County for the 12th District Championship at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
