PROSPECT — Before the game, there was confusion as to whether or not the teams could use a designated hitter.

It really didn't matter to Prospect. It had plenty of hitting to spare.

Prospect (12-4) wasted little time bludgeoning Center Township in the opening round of the Butler CountyAmericanLegion tournament at the Prospect Boys and Girls Club Thursday.

Prospect, the defending BCAL champion, rapped out 15 hits, stole five bases and got an efficient outing from pitcher Jesse Badgett in an 11-1, six-inning triumph.

"We had a practice on Monday here and we emphasized being aggressive on the base paths," said Prospect manager BrandonRay. "We emphasized being aggressive at the plate. We had a lot of stolen bases. I liked that."

It seemed there was a Prospect baserunner standing at second all game.

In fact, there pretty much was.

Prospect had seven doubles. When a Prospect hitter didn't get extra bases, he either stole second or moved up on a wild pitch.

Prospect had a runner reach second base in every inning.

"Most of the season, I haven't had all of my guys," Ray said. "Now that it's the playoffs, I have all of my guys and we're starting to jell real nice."

Before the game, there was some debate on whether or not Prospect could use Matt Shearer as a DH. Prospect could and Shearer delivered with a sacrifice fly deep to center in the third inning and a double in the fourth inning that rattled off the top of the tall fence that surrounds the field.

But Shearer was by no means alone in the hit parade.

Mark White went 4-for-4 with three doubles, three RBI, two stolen bases and a handful of acrobatic plays at shortstop.

Travis McDougall also was 4-for-4 with 2-RBI.

That was plenty of support for Badgett, who threw fewer than 65 pitches in his five innings. He allowed one unearned run, scattered three hits and let his defense do the work behind him.

"Something I like about Jesse Badgett is he mixes up his pitches," Ray said. "He throws strikes. That's the main thing with our pitchers. If they can throw strikes and get ahead of hitters, make them defensive hitters, we're pretty tough."

Prospect's goal all season has been to repeat as BCAL champions.

Ray, who only last year was a player for Prospect, said there is an intense fervor to win the tournament title again.

"Every guy in here but about two or three were a part of that last year," Ray said. "That's what we have been talking about. Everyone has it on his mind. I know I have it on my mind. But I don't want to get carried away. There is a lot of baseball left to be played, but this is a good start."

Prospect will host Butler City at 6 p.m.Saturday in the second round.

Center Twp 000 100 x—1 3 1Prospect 202 421 x—11 15 2W: Jesse Badgett 5 IP (1 K, 1 BB).

L: Mike Saper 3 IP (4 K, 1 BB).

Center Township (4-12): Alex Martini 1B; Zac Sessa 1B; Jacob Thompson 1B

Prospect (12-4): NickCress 2B, 1B; Jesse Badgett 2B, RBI; MarkWhite 3-2B, 1B, 3-RBI, 2 SB; RyanFerguson 2B, RBI; Travis McDougall 4-1B, 2-RBI; Matt Shearer 2B, 2-RBI; Derrick Orloski 1B, RBI; Josh Weitzel 1B