The Meridian train keeps rolling.

"I thought it was going to come off the tracks a couple of times," said Meridian manager Butch Master.

Instead, Meridian found a way to stay unbeaten in downing Center Township 5-2 in Butler County American Legion baseball at Pullman Park Wednesday.

Master hopes his team still hasn't reached its, well, meridian.

"There's pressure there," Master said. "Most of it coming from me. They don't want to lose. I don't want to lose more."

So, Meridian hasn't, rolling off 15 consecutive victories on the strength of its pitching, defense and clutch hitting.

Even when the bats weren't as potent as usual against Center Township, Meridian did just enough to win.

"We found a way to score five runs and keep them under five," Master said. "That's all we've been doing. We didn't hit the ball as well tonight. We hit some shots right at people."

Meridian scored two runs in the top of the second inning and two more in the top of the third to take a 4-0 lead against Center Township starting pitcher Zac Rader.

That was plenty for Meridian right-hander Zac Vasey, who perplexed Center Township with an array of slow breaking pitches.

"He throws that big breaking ball and keeps everyone off balance," Master said. "I just love to see that. It drops out of this world and he throws it for strikes. I love when he throws it for strikes."

Center Township, which is made up mostly of 16- and 17-year-olds and had only 10 players at the game, made things interesting with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

But Meridian tacked on a run in the top of the seventh on the second RBI single of the game by Caleb Trombatt and Vasey got out of a two-on, one-out jam in the bottom of the seventh for a complete-game victory.

"I was pleased with the effort," said Center Township manager John Link. "We played them tough. We have only two seniors on the roster and neither of them started for their high school team."

It seems no one can slow Meridian these days.

It's in stark contrast to last season, when Meridian couldn't catch a break — or many wins. Meridian was 4-12 in 2008 with many of the same faces.

What has been the difference?

"I'll be honest with you. It is the fact that Saxonburg folded, and I was able to pick up (third baseman) Kenny Dunmyre and (second baseman) Corey Branchen," Master said. "They filled the two holes we needed to fill. They have both been tremendous at the plate and spectacular in the field."

Branchen teamed with catcher Tanner Master for a pivotal double play in the second inning.

With runners on the corners and no outs, Rader attempted to steal second, but Tanner Master made a perfect throw to Branchen for the out.

Meanwhile, Todd Wiest broke from third toward the plate. After applying the tag, Branchen made an off-balance throw to the plate that was perfect, hitting Master's mitt as Wiest slid into it for the second out.

One pitch later, Vasey got a strikeout to end the inning and to quell Center Township's momentum.

It is those kinds of plays, Butch Master said, that are driving Meridian's run toward a perfect season.

"It feels good," Master said. "I've been with the Legion team for five or six years now and this is the best season we've had so far. The team is jelling. We don't have any issues. Everyone is busting their butts and playing ball. I'm enjoying this one."

Meridian 202 000 1 — 5 10 2Center Township 000 020 0 — 2 6 1W: Zac Vasey (7 IP) 6 K, 1 BB.

L: Zac Rader (3 IP) 2 K, 0 BB.

Meridian (15-0): Tanner Master 2-1B, 2-R; Caleb Trombatt 2-1B, 2-RBI; Kenny Dunmyre 2-1B; Christos Klutinoty 1B, 2B

Center Township (7-7): Zac Sessa 3-1B