Meridian has enjoyed such great hitting all season, there was not much call for aggressive baserunning.

In Friday's Butler County American Legion elimination playoff game, the squad had three runners thrown out at home plate.

Still, Meridian managed to bang out nine hits, including a key two-out, two-run single by Cory Achezinski, to post a 6-2 victory over Center Township.

With the win, Meridian, the regular season champion, will face Butler City at noon Saturday at Pullman Park with the winner to face East Butler in the championship game at 6 p.m., also at Pullman Park.

"We had three runners thrown out, but I thought if we scored it would rattle them and would be to our advantage," said Meridian manager Butch Master.

"Our guys stayed focused, because when you get a guy thrown out at home, it can turn against you. No one threw me out of the dugout, though," joked Master.

Meridian and Center Township were locked in a 1-all tie in the bottom of the third inning when, with one out, Caleb Trombatt singled and Ken Dunmyre was hit by a Zac Sessa pitch.

Bobby Swartwout singled, but Trombatt was thrown out at home. Right fielder Zach Rader's thrown was taken by Sessa, who fired a throw to the plate, where Taylor Ford applied the tag.

After Josh Miller walked to load the bases, Achezinski faced a full count before lining a two-run single into left field for a 3-1 lead.

"Both of their big hits came from Achezinski, a senior," said Center Township manager John Link. "He hit us all year and he's one of the better hitters."

Meridian (20-1) made it 4-1 in the fifth inning when, with two outs, Swartwout singled and Miller walked. Swartwout stole third base, but the throw from Ford sailed into left field and Swartwout scored.

Center Township (9-12) tried to cut into the deficit in the sixth inning when they mounted a two-out rally.

Cory Campbell singled off Zach Vasey, then Cole Baxter laced a deep drive to left field that scored Campbell. Baxter tried to stretch the double into a triple and was thrown out to end the frame.

Meridian added two runs in the bottom half of the inning on a pair of fielder's choices, which closed out the scoring.

Vasey finished the game with four strikeouts and two walks, along with the two runs and six hits allowed.

"He doesn't get too rattled," said Master. "He stays focused. He has the curve and a little slider and a lot of confidence."

Center Township, which has just two seniors — Campbell and John Koch — on the team, is hoping to turn this year's playoff run into a better one next year.

"You can't replace senior leadership," said Link. "Look at the older players our kids played against. We hate to lose (Campbell and Koch). We're young.

"We didn't start out well. We were 1-7 at one time. We wanted a fresh start. We just came up short. (Meridian's) a great team. They deserved to win," Link added.

Meridian will try and run the table to be the BCAL's representative in the regional playoffs.

"We had a little discussion before the last game (a 7-5 victory over Cranberry Township Thursday, one day after a 9-5 loss to Butler City in the winner's bracket semifinals Wednesday)," said Master. "I said we had to win five games to win the tournament.

"Now, we need to win three games to win the tournament," Master added.

Notes: Nick Bellasario's RBI single in the second inning gave Meridian a 1-0 led before Taylor Ford tied the game in the third inning when he scored from second base when Meridian was unable to turn a grounder into a double play ... A knee injury has sidelined Christos Klutinoty for the remainder of the season.

Center Twp. 001 001 0 — 2 6 1Meridian 012 012 x — 6 9 0W: Zach Vasey (7 IP) 4 K, 2 BB.

L: Zac Sessa (6 IP) 3 K, 4 BB.

Center Twp. (9-12): Zac Sessa 1B; Jake Thompson 1B, RBI; Cory Campbell 2-1B; Cole Baxter 2B, RBI; Tyler Vidmar 1B; Zach Rader 1B

Meridian (20-1): Caleb Trombatt 2-1B, RBI; Ken Dunmyre 1B; Bob Swartwout 2-1B; Tanner Master RBI; Cory Achezinski 2-1B, 2 RBI; Nick Bellasario 2-1B, RBI

Saturday: Meridian vs. Butler City, 12 p.m., Pullman Park

Saturday: Championship game: Meridian-Butler City winner vs. East Butler, 6 p.m., Pullman Park

Sunday (if necessary): Meridian-Butler City winner vs. East Butler, 6 p.m., Pullman Park (tentative site)