Beech Tree News Network

The 12th District tournament awaits for both the Butler County High School baseball and softball squads.  

Butler County Softball secured the #2 seed and will face off against Edmonson County on Monday night, May 18, at 7:00 p.m.  #1 Trinity and #4 Grayson will play the first game at 5:30.  Butler County is the host school for this year's softball tournament.  The Championship is set for Tuesday, May 19, at 5:30 p.m.

Butler County finished 16-14 on the season, 4-2 in district play and 8-7 against 3rd Region opponents.  The Bears split against Edmonson during the regular season, winning 6-2 at home on March 31, and falling 12-11 on the road on April 13.  

"Our district is always a tough one. Any of these teams can win on any given day," said BCHS head coach Amy Rogers.   "As for our girls and this team, they have worked extremely hard this season and are prepared for district. Come support our girls at home."  

The Butler County Lady Bears are surging into postseason play at just the right moment, having won 12 of their last 16 games to finish the regular season with a 16-14 record. Senior leader Karrington Hunt anchored the offense with a scorching .526 average, 2 home runs, 29 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases. Eighth grader Emmalin Mode continued her impressive performance at the plate, batting .469 with 1 home run, 40 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases. Senior Miley Franzell contributed a .374 average, 1 home run, 13 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases, while fellow senior Tinslea Belcher supplied major power with a .363 average, 3 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases. Sophomore Carly Cardwell turned in another stellar season, hitting .364 with 6 home runs, 16 RBIs, and 8 stolen bases. Eighth grader Brielle Belcher wrapped up at .327 with 14 RBIs and 7 stolen bases, while senior Madison Jones batted .293 with 11 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Eighth grader Callyn Smith contributed a .268 average, 12 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases, and senior Taylor Smith concluded the regular season at .253 with 1 home run, 11 RBIs, and 1 stolen base. On the mound, senior Miley Franzell anchored the pitching staff with a 9-8 record, 64 strikeouts, 28 walks, and a 3.86 ERA across 99.2 innings. Eighth grader Callyn Smith finished with a 7-5 record, tallying 63 strikeouts, 42 walks, and a 5.86 ERA over 86 innings for the Lady Bears.

Meanwhile, the Butler County Baseball Bears earned the top seed in the district and will play #4 Trinity on Monday, May 18, at 5:30.  #3 Grayson and #4 Edmonson will square off at 7:30.  Edmonson County is the host school for this year's baseball tournament.  The championship is set for Tuesday, May 19, at 6 p.m.

The Bears finished the regular season with a 14-13 record, 4-2 in district play, and 7-3 against 3rd Region opponents.  Butler County swept the regular season series against Trinity, winning 4-0 at Whitesville on April 20 and 14-5 in Morgantown on April 21.

"District time is what you work for all season. Our guys understand the opportunity in front of them, and we’re excited to compete," said BCHS head coach Bo West.  "We’ve battled through adversity, grown together, and now it’s about playing our best baseball when it matters most."