BUTLER TWP - It was only a matter of time.

Butler Township's Blue All-Stars collected just one hit in the first two innings of the Little League Baseball District 25 10-year-old championship game against Oil City Tuesday at Adelman Field.

The team erupted for 13 hits in the final two frames - including eight in a row to begin the fourth inning - and rolled to a 17-2 triumph.

Butler Township won District 25 for the third straight year and will compete in the six-team Section 2 Tournament July 23 through 29 in New Castle. The winner of that tournament advances to the state tournament in Clarion.

Butler Township won the Little League 10-year-old state title in 2002.

"We had their hitters out in front a little bit and they were popping everything up," Oil City coach Bill Hadley said of the first two innings. "Their hitters adjusted after that. Good teams do that."

Colin McKee's double was Butler Township's lone hit in the first two innings, but the team took advantage of three errors, a walk and two wild pitches to build a 3-0 lead during that time.

Winning pitcher Matthew Baranchak never needed any more support. Oil City didn't get a runner to third base until the fourth and final inning, when three walks, a hit batsman and three wild pitches produced its two runs.

Baranchak tossed a one-hitter and struck out 10. He struck out 18 batters in seven innings during the tournament.

But the Butler Township bats were the story of the tournament.

Butler Township hitters struck out only once Tuesday. They struck out only 13 times in 190 plate appearances in the five-game competition.

"That's phenomenal for this level," Butler Township coach Chuck McKee said. "These kids put the bat on the ball."

Butler Township entered the championship game with a .617 team batting average for the tournament. Only one player in Tuesday's starting lineup - Baranchak at .454 - was hitting below .500.

Every position in the batting order scored at least one run Tuesday.

"We don't just rely on our first three hitters or so," McKee said. "Everybody is a strong hitter from one through nine. Our subs come off the bench and hit the ball well."

No. 9 hitter Cody West had a double, single and three RBI. McKee had a pair of doubles, Spencer Murray had a double and a single, David Tompkins and Thomas Bruce had two singles each to key a 14-hit attack.

"They have a very impressive team," Hadley said. "We wish them well. They're representing our district, so we're rooting for them now."

Both of Oil City's losses in the tournament were to Butler Township, including a 15-3 decision in the fourth round of the 10-team tournament.

Oil City reached the District 25 10-year-old finals for the first time in years.

"This is a building block for us," Hadley said.

Butler Township outscored its opposition 80-8 in winning five straight games in the double-elimination tournament.

"It's just hard work that's gotten these guys where they are," McKee said. "When we don't have a practice, they're out on their own practicing. During the off-season, they're taking hitting lessons. These kids just love baseball.

"We had two teams in this tournament. Our Butler Township Gold team won two games and lost 8-7 in eight innings to Clarion to get eliminated.

"Out of 75 to 80 kids in our league, we had 24 kids play in this tournament and they all played well. I'm as proud of that fact as any of this," McKee added.

Rounding out Butler Township's Blue roster are Alex Ziegler, Dante Dorcy, Chris Cotton, Alex Russo, Michael Connelly and Bobby Stark.

Little League District 25 10-year-old championship

Butler Twp. 126 8xx x -17 14 0

Oil City 000 2xx x - 2 1 3

WP:

Matthew Baranchak (4 IP) 10 strikeouts, 5 walks.

LP:

Blake Hadley (3 IP) 1 strikeout, 3 walks

Butler Township (5-0):

Spencer Murray 2B 1B 2-RBI, Alex Ziegler 2-R RBI, David Tompkins 2-1B 2-R, Matthew Baranchak 2B 2-RBI 2-R, Dante Dorcy 2B RBI, Colin McKee 2-2B 2-R RBI, Thomas Bruce 2-1B 2-R RBI, Chris Cotton 1B 2-R RBI, Alex Russo 1B, Cody West 2B 1B 3-RBI 2-R

Oil City (3-2):

Steve McCauley 2B

July 23-29:

Butler Township in Section 2 Tournament @ New Castle