East Butler erupts late to claim title

By DEREK PYDA Eagle Staff Writer

July 13, 2004 Last Updated: January 06, 2005 12:14 PM Amateur

BUTLER TWP - A look at the final score doesn't tell the whole story.

For four innings, Butler Township stood toe to toe with East Butler as the two teams battled in a one-game playoff for the Butler County American Legion Baseball League's regular season title.

Then it was as if the former hit a brick wall.

East Butler scored eight runs in the final three innings in a 10-2 win Monday at Highfield Park, giving East Butler its first regular season championship since 2001.

"At mid-season, we were 6-4," said East Butler coach Dess Schnur. "Then we began to play better consistently. The kids really came together as a team."

"We just didn't have the pitching late in the game to keep us in it," said Butler Township coach Gene Zawrotuk.

But Zawrotuk also saw his offense struggle after scoring two runs in the first inning.

From the second inning through the sixth, Butler Township managed just two hits off of East Butler starter Shane Seybert.

"He's been consistent all year for us," said Schnur.

Seybert pitched a complete game, surrendering the two runs on six hits. He struck out four and walked just one.

"Everything felt good for me out there," said Seybert. "My curve wasn't my best pitch today, but I kept throwing it just to see what it could do."

For Schnur, the game's biggest hit came in the fifth inning.

After Matt Schnur scored on Steve Scott's single to give East Butler a 3-2 lead, Todd Walker drilled a triple to right center that scored both Brandon Grenet and Scott for a 5-2 advantage.

"Todd's hit, that was a big one," said Schnur. "It was instrumental in the victory. It brought home two runs and opened things up for us."

"I always have total confidence in our offense," said Seybert. "They've come through when we've needed it all season long."

The fifth inning would be the last for Butler Township starter Josh Edwards. He struck out seven and walked one, surrendering five runs on five hits.

He was hurt by three errors behind him.

"He's a third baseman by trade," said Zawrotuk of Edwards. "But he did a good job keeping us in the game today."

Brian Bell and Chad Gladd pitched the last two innings, but they were unable to stop East Butler from adding five more runs.

Schnur's club greeted Edwards with two runs in the top of the first before Butler Township's Matt McCune settled the score with his bat in the bottom of the inning.

He came to the plate with two outs and teammate Andy Onufrak standing at first base.

McCune drove a pitch into the left center field gap. East Butler center fielder Chad Neff dove for the ball but missed and the ball rolled to the fence.

McCune scored behind Onufrak for an inside-the-park home run, tying the game at 2-2.

"These guys love to compete against each other," said Zawrotuk. "A lot of them are best friends off the field and played together for Butler's varsity team.

"It's almost like an intrasquad game from high school."

Both teams will receive a bye in the first round of the BCAL playoffs, which begin today.

They will return to action Wednesday.

East Butler 200 032 3 -10 7 0

Butler Twp. 200 000 0 - 2 6 4

WP:

Shane Seybert (7 IP) 4 strikeouts, 1 walk.

LP:

Josh Edwards (5 IP) 7 strikeouts, 1 walk

East Butler (14-6-1):

Matt Schnur 1B RBI 2R, Kolby Gregory 2B RBI R, Todd Walker 1B 3B 3RBI R

Butler Township (13-7-1):