Sammy Baic

CRANBERRY TWP — Twelve games into the Butler County Area Baseball League season, Cranberry Township was a middle-of-the-road team with a 6-6 record.

But Larry Stelitano's squad has not lost since and is now just one victory away from claiming the league championship.

Sammy Baic clubbed a three-run home run and Elijah White pitched six strong innings Tuesday night as Cranberry earned the double-elimination tournament's king seat with an 8-3 win over Saxonburg at Graham Park.

Cranberry totaled just six hits in the win, but hitting and hitting at the right time are often two different things.

“We hadn't been hitting the ball all that well through 12 games,” said Stelitano. “Then we started hitting. I knew the guys had it in them. Getting to (the championship round) is a reflection of their commitment to playing ball the right way.”

Baic's home run broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the fourth inning. He sent a letter-high fastball from Saxonburg's Jack Bartek over the fence in center field. Seve Balog and Alex Scalone set the table for Baic with back-to-back singles with two outs.

“That's his first home run in this league,” Stelitano said of Baic, “but he hit 10 last year in a Colt league at either this field or fields similar to this one.”

Saxonburg (12-4) never pulled even again. It received a leadoff double from Bartek in the fifth. He later advanced on an errant throw, but White buckled down by striking out Ethan Sloane and Andy Pipes. Brandon Kowalski singled home one run to cut the deficit to 5-3, but Saxonburg did not score again.

Austin Eichenauer worked the seventh inning to close the game for Cranberry.

White struck out seven and walked just one.

“He beat Saxonburg earlier this season and we felt good about throwing him tonight,” Stelitano said. “He's a heck of a competitor and he stepped up tonight.”

White ran into a bit of trouble in the top of the second inning when Saxonburg managed three straight hits together. Singles from Mike McCarty and Sean McGill were sandwiched around Ben McMillen's double. McGill's hit brought home two runs to break the ice, but Cranberry's response was immediate.

In the bottom of the frame, Balog doubled home Luke Engel and Dylan Kingan.

“I thought Jack pitched a good game,” said Saxonburg manager Pete McMillen. “He threw two bad pitches — the 0-2 pitch that led to two runs in the second and the 3-1 pitch on the home run.

“You have to tip your hat to (White),” added McMillen. “He had seven strikeouts, but it seemed like more. We're a pretty good offensive team, but he was hitting his spots tonight.”

Cranberry (13-6) now awaits the team that will emerge from the loser's bracket. Meridian, Center Township and Saxonburg will all vie for the right to meet Cranberry in the championship round next Tuesday at Kelly Automotive Park.

“I don't have a problem with the layoff because we are going to practice,” said Stelitano. “Our guys want to practice. I'm happy for them because they have been playing good baseball.”

Saxonburg 020 010 0 — 3 8 0

Cranberry Twp. 020 303 x — 8 6 2

W: Elijah White 6+ IP (7K, 1BB). L: Jack Bartek 4.2 IP (3K, 3BB).

Saxonburg (12-4): Andy Pipes 2B, Ben McMillen 1B 2B R, Sean McGill 1B 2RBI, Jack Bartek 1B 2B, Mike McCarty 1B R

Cranberry Township (13-6): Seve Balog 1B 2B 2R 2RBI, Sammy Baic HR 2R 3RBI, Justin Dattoli 1B RBI, Luke Engel 1B R

July 24: Cranberry Township in BCABL championship round, opponent TBD