It’s not easy for a pitcher to lower their ERA that’s already under 0.50 once the postseason begins, but Aidon Butts pulled off the feat on Sunday.
The Trigg County senior hurled a five-hit shutout to lower his season ERA from 0.42 to 0.35, but more importantly, pitched the Wildcats into Monday’s district championship against Lyon County. The Lyons defeated Livingston Central 11-1 in Sunday’s other semifinal.
Butts struck out seven and scattered five hits in improving to 5-0. The Dyersburg State signee only allowed three runners to reach scoring position, and each time was able to pitch out of trouble.
Trigg County would get all of the offense they needed in the third inning. Butts doubled home Bentley Reynolds with the Wildcats’ first run. Chase Hampton followed with an RBI single, and Slaton Carter was plunked with the bases loaded to push Trigg’s lead to 3-0. James Garnett followed with a two-run single.
The Wildcats tacked on a run in the sixth inning when Reynolds, who finished with two hits, doubled down the left field line and later scored on an Aaden Allen sacrifice fly.
Quinn Summers had a pair of hits for Crittenden County (10-16), which has dropped seven of its last eight meetings with Trigg.
The Wildcats improved to 12-10 and have not only assured themselves of their third trip to the region tournament in the past four seasons, but also clinched its first .500 or better season in seven years. That 2018 Trigg team, ironically, was the last team to hand Lyon County a district tournament loss.
Monday’s district championship begins at 6:00 at Jim Boyd Field. Lyon County beat Trigg County 12-0 and 9-6 during the regular season and has won 16 straight over the Wildcats, dating back to that 2018 district semifinal game.
Both teams will also play in next week’s region tournament scheduled to begin on Memorial Day at Lyon County.
