Skid Snapped
Cody Herald insisted the wheels weren't falling off the Butler baseball bus.
“The bolts were loose and the wheels were wobbling a little bit,” Herald said. “All we needed to do was tighten them a little bit.”
Connor Ollio grabbed the lug wrench.
The Butler pitcher was scheduled to start Friday against North Allegheny, but on the quiet ride home after a loss to Pine-Richland Monday, the senior right-hander approached Herald and told the coach he wanted the ball Wednesday night against Shaler.
Ollio struck out 12 in 5 2/3 innings to help Butler get back on track with a 6-3 win over the Titans at Kelly Automotive Park.
After a 6-0 start, Butler (7-4, 4-3) lost four straight heading into the game against Shaler and was in danger of falling back in the crowded WPIAL Section 1-6A standings.
But the Golden Tornado went back to the things they did during their hot start. They were patient at the plate, banged out 11 hits and were aggressive on the base paths.
It showed in Butler's fast start.
The Golden Tornado led 2-0 after three innings and jumped out to a 5-0 lead after five.
Shaler, though, scratched back into the game, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth.
Butler will travel to North Allegheny Friday — hoping the wheels on the bus have been secured.
A full story appears in Thursday's Butler Eagle.
