The score was not indicative of his team's effort.

That's how Butler Township little league all-star baseball coach John Baranchak is looking at his team's 10-3 loss to New Jersey, Sunday evening at the Mid-Atlantic Regional in Bristol, Conn.

The Butler Township squad, which earned the new name "Pennsylvania" for winning the state championship last week near Philadelphia, could not hold the lead after taking an early 2-0 edge Sunday.

Dalton Koebler followed Spencer Murray's base hit in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run home run that put the team in a familiar position — ahead.

But New Jersey retaliated with seven runs over the next three innings, as it outhit Butler Township 13-5 on the night.

Butler Township's Alex Ziegler sent a solo home run over the fence in the bottom of the sixth inning for the game's final run.

"The game started out well for us," said Baranchak. "But some mental mistakes cost us. They got the momentum and just kept going."

The New Jersey team is from Livingston, a city about 20 miles west of New York City.

"(New Jersey) is a big, physical team," Baranchak added. "A lot of people here consider them to be the favorites. But all of that really doesn't matter. We were right in this game and very easily could've won. The score is not indicative of how we played."

Matthew Baranchak started the game, striking out four batters and giving up four runs in 3X\c innings pitched in the loss. He was followed on the mound by Ziegler and Cody West.

Baranchak also added a single at the plate.

Butler Township will be back in action today at 11 a.m. against Delaware.

Koebler will take the mound for Pennsylvania. His last start was the 7-5 win over Lehigh Valley last Tuesday that sent his team to Connecticut.

"Every team that's here has done everything you've done to get here," said Coach Baranchak. "There are no weak teams."

New Jersey 012 412 —10 13 0PA (Butler Twp) 200 001 — 3 5 1Pennsylvania: Spencer Murray 1B R, Dalton Koebler 1B HR R 2 RBI, Alex Ziegler HR R RBI, Matthew Baranchak 1B

Today: Pennsylvania vs. Delaware, 11 a.m.