Trevor Dunkel might not have gotten a win, but the Center Township pitcher couldn't have been asked to do more than he accomplished Tuesday night at Pullman Park.

Dunkel struck out 20 batters in the second game of a Butler County American Legion Baseball League doubleheader against Karns City, but Center lost 6-4 in 11 innings.

"It's pretty amazing," said Dunkel, who pitched 9

innings. "I never thought that I'd strike out that many in a game."

Possibly the most amazing stat of the night was that from the top of the sixth inning until the top of the 10th, 11 straight outs were recorded via strikeout.

"I've never seen anything like it," said Center Township coach Kevin Shaffer. "Usually, Trevor's good for between six and 10 (strikeouts a game)."

Dunkel, who played first base in the first game (a 5-0 Center Township win), didn't seem tired late in the second game, striking out the side in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

"By the fifth or sixth inning, adrenaline kicked in," said Dunkel.

"I've coached him on and off since he was 8," said Shaffer. "He always seems to get stronger as the year goes on."

Dunkel did walk nine batters before being pulled in favor of eventual loser Bruce Cornibe in the 10th inning.

Karns City's Shayne Bell scored the winning run when Matt Allen grounded into a fielder's choice in the top of the 11th.

Karns City starter Josh Smith also had a tremendous night on the mound.

Smith, who was KC's catcher in Game 1, struck out 15 while walking only one in eight innings of work.

"Josh wanted this game," said Karns City coach Terry Stiehler. "He wanted to pitch, even after catching the first game, so I gave him the opportunity and he did a great job."

Winning pitcher David Slagle pitched 2

innings of relief, striking out two and walking two, before Cody McGregor was called on to get the final three outs.

Shayne Bell's one-out triple in the top of the 11th got things started for KC.

Allen followed with the fielder's choice, as Bell beat the throw home. KC added an insurance run before McGregor relieved Slagle in Center Township's final at-bat.

Bell ended the game with a double, triple, one run scored and one RBI.

With the split, Center Township (13-7) can finish no worse than third in the BCAL standings.

East Butler, Butler Township and Center Township are all still alive for the regular season championship.

Karns City moves to 10-7-1 and will host Meridian Thursday.

"The kids played well tonight," said Stiehler. "They stuck with it and all the credit goes to them."

Center Township's Nathan Markle fanned 11 batters in the his team's shutout win in the first game."

Game 1

Karns City 000 000 0 - 0 4 1

Center Twp. 001 400 x - 5 9 0

WP:

Nathan Markle (7 IP) 11 strikeouts, 3 walks.

LP:

Kyle Texter (3

IP) 1 strikeout, 1 walk

Karns City:

Josh Smith 2B

Center Township:

Josh Warburton 2-1B RBI, Joe Palermo 2-1B RBI, Trevor Dunkel 1B 2RBI R, Nathan Markle 1B 2R

Game 2

Karns City 010 010 000 22 - 6 9 2

Center Twp. 200 000 000 20 - 4 8 1

WP:

David Slagle (2

IP) 2 strikeouts, 2 walks.

LP:

Bruce Cornibe (1 IP) 0 strikeouts, 0 walks

Karns City (10-7-1):

Shayne Bell 2B 3B RBI R, Matt Allen RBI R, David Slagle 2-2B RBI, Mike Stitt 2-1B 2R, Cody McGregor 2-1B, Josh Behrens RBI, Chad Bell 1B R, Kyle Texter R

Center Township (13-7):

Josh Warburton 2R, Clayton Smith 2B 2RBI R, Josh Swartzlander 2-1B, Trevor Dunkel 1B, Nathan Markle 2-1B, Joe Palermo 1B, Dave Morgan 1B R

Thursday: Meridian @ Karns City