Cranberry Township plated five runs in the top of the seventh inning and went on to defeat host Zelienople 7-4 in Butler County American Legion baseball first-round playoff action Thursday night.

Ed Kremmel contributed a two-run single to the rally and Nick Madeira added a run-scoring base hit.

Madeira struck out five in a complete-game victory.

Cranberry (9-12) will face Meridian at 6 p.m. tonight at Pullman Park. The same two teams squared off in the regular-season finale Wednesday night, with Cranberry coming away with a 17-6 win.

Ryan O’Connor hit his seventh home run of the season in the triumph, Nick Cupelli had two doubles, Nate Babusci singled and doubled twice and Ryan Duran had two base hits in support of winning pitcher Kevin Plut.

• In Thursday’s other playoff game, Saxonburg used a six-run fourth inning to topple Butler City 15-5 at Laura Doerr Park.

Mac Megahan hit a grand slam in the frame and Garrett Shaw added a home run.

Ryan Letzelter struck out the side in the top of the fifth to end the game via the mercy rule.

Joey Friel and Travis Thompson both hit home runs for Butler City.

Next up for Saxonburg in the double-elimination tournament is a showdown with Center Township at 8 p.m. tonight at Pullman Park.

Zelienople and Butler City await their next opponent in the loser’s bracket.