Butler lacrosse pounds Baldwin

By Sam Tallarico
Eagle Staff Writer

BUTLER TWP — With each game that passes, the Butler boys lacrosse team is finding its groove — passes being the operative word.
Behind eight goals and three assists from Tanner Kotch and six goals and four assists from Cody Bachman, the Tornado overwhelmed Baldwin 21-3 Monday at Art Bernardi Stadium.
Riding a six-game winning streak, Butler improved to 7-2 on the season.
“We’re getting better ball movement and we’re recognizing the open man,” Butler coach Brandon Hoskinson said. “When you do that, you make it easier.”
“We’re really happy with the way we’re playing with this strong winning streak,” Kotch said. “We’re getting better and better. Early on we were a little sloppy.”
The Tornado had an impressive 12-8 victory over Peters Township Friday, but knew the Highlanders were not the Indians.
That showed early as Chandler Harvey scored 21 seconds into the game before Kotch followed with four consecutive goals to open up a 5-0 advantage with 2:28 left in the first period.
“My team drew a lot of slides,” Kotch said. “They were finding open seams and I was lucky to be there.”
Said Hoskinson, “Tanner’s really, really good around the cage and that’s crucial for the way we play.”
Baldwin’s Wesley Richards scored the first of his three goals with 23.8 seconds left to break the string before Butler opened the second quarter with the next six tallies — two apiece from Kotch, Bachman and Cory Hilliard — for an 11-1 lead.
After Richards scored for the Highlanders, Clay Bachman scored for Butler, followed by three goals by Cody Bachman.
When Richards scored again, this time with 42 seconds left on a running clock in the third period, Butler’s lead was still 12 at 15-3.
Kotch added two more fourth-period goals as did Jamison Smith while Sebastian Moran and Cody Bachman also added scores.
“We wanted to work on a few things,” Hoskinson said, “and we’ll work on a few Wednesday, too.”
The Tornado will host Vincentian Wednesday before meeting up with Pine-Richland Friday and Upper St. Clair Monday.
With the way the squad is playing, the Tornado offense seems to be clicking right now.
“We have a really strong team bond,” Kotch said. “We’re in each other’s heads before we know it.”
Notes: J.J. Raab added three assists, while Harvey and Clay Bachman added two apiece. ... Butler goaltender Josh Jablonski recorded two saves. ... The eight goals equaled Kotch’s brother Tyler from last season. Kotch had scored seven goals and added eight assists in a game last week against North Hills. ...