Township triumphs
Cranberry Township and Center Township implemented two different styles of play during Butler County American Legion playoff action at Pullman Park Friday night.
Despite the contrast, both approaches turned out to be a winning formula.
Cranberry pounded out 13 runs in the fourth and fifth innings to earn a 14-9 victory over regular-season champion Meridian before Center Township was sparked by a couple of perfectly-executed bunts on its way to a 6-3 win at the expense of Saxonburg.
After squandering a pair of scoring opportunities in the first two frames, Cranberry turned a 4-1 deficit into a 7-4 advantage with six runs on five hits in the top of the fourth.
Meridian countered in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run, inside-the-park homer by Bob Swartwout, but Cranberry continued its torrid pace at the plate with seven runs on six hits in the fifth.
“We're seeing the ball really well. Our bats are coming around right now,” said Cranberry's Ryan O'Conner, who went 3-for-4 and pitched a complete game. “It's perfect timing and our pitching has been there, too.”
O'Connor didn't shut down the potent Meridian offense, but he kept the No. 1 seed under control and struck out the side in the final inning to secure Cranberry's spot in the winner's bracket final. He finished with seven strikeouts and scattered 12 hits.
“I tried to get ahead in the count and my defense had my back,” he explained. “I was excited to finish the deal.”
Cranberry loaded the bases twice in the fourth inning and all six runners came around to score. Matt Johnson gave Cranberry its first lead with a bases-juiced, two-RBI double off the wall, making it 6-4.
Johnson also had one of three Cranberry doubles in the fifth, where the first seven batters reached base and scored. Nick Madeira and Nick Cupelli belted two-baggers as well.
“We hit the long ball tonight. There were lot of extra-base hits and that really helped,” said Cranberry manager Mark O'Connor. “This is our third win over Meridian and they're the regular-season champs, so that's extra special for our team.”
Cranberry (10-12) entered the playoffs as the No. 5 seed, but now have as good a shot as any to reach regionals.
“I can't thank these guys enough for staying in there and keeping positive and playing well,” said the elder O'Connor.
Meridian manager Butch Master was hoping to see a better performance from his team, but commended Cranberry for the offensive onslaught. Jace Lyons took the loss for Meridian, his first defeat this season.
“It was a frustrating game. They hit the ball very well,” said Master. “They hit the ball well against a good pitcher tonight.”
Swartwout was a bright spot for Meridian. He went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and four RBIs. He coupled a first-inning RBI double with two singles and a blistering line drive that made its way over the center fielder's head and all the way to the wall.
“This field is huge in center,” said Swartwout. “As soon as I saw it go over his head, I knew I was going home right away.”
Meridian (15-6) will look to stay alive in the tournament with an elimination game on Saturday against Butler City. The first pitch at Pullman Park is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Cranberry will square off with Center Township (15-6) following the Meridian-Butler City showdown.
Center Township was aided to its 6-3 victory over Saxonburg by a stellar all-around effort from Cole Baxter. He went 2-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored and two driven in.
Baxter's two RBIs broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning. He singled between third and shortstop with a pair of runners in scoring position.“I just wanted to put the ball somehwere, whether it was a sac fly or a hit scoring two,” said Baxter. “I just wanted to make contact with the ball.”Baxter came through with the key hit, but his teammates were the ones to supply the opportunity.Jennings Graham led off the sixth with a single to center, before Ben Hortert legged out an infield hit on a beautiful bunt down the third-base line. Jake Thompson laid down a sacrifice on the next pitch to set up Baxter with runners on second and third.“The back-to-back bunts in the sixth inning were just incredible,” said Center Township manager Brian Hortert.Joe Malardie hurled the first five innings for Center Township, giving up four hits and two earned runs. Baxter picked up the win in relief. He allowed one unearned run and fanned the final three batters he faced to end it.“I hadn't pitched in a while, so my arm was fresh. I felt good out there,” said Baxter. “It's always a good feeling to strike out the side. That was nice.”Mark Keck was the tough-luck loser for Saxonburg. He struck out seven in 5 1-3 innings.“There was great pitching on both sides. Obviously, Joe Malardie pitched his heart out and Cole came in and did a great job,” said Hortert. “(Saxonburg is) a great team. It wouldn't surprise me if we see them again.“It's a great rivalry and it's always great to play Saxonburg. It's always a gentleman's game.”Saxonburg was hampered by six errors, including a three-base miscue that allowed Baxter to race around the bases to lead off the bottom of the first. In the fifth, David Hohn sprinted home to give Center Township a 3-2 edge after he tripled in the left-center gap and the relay to the infield went awry.“We played hard. There were a few too many errors to beat a solid team like Center Township,” said Saxonburg manager Pat Sarnese. “Mark Keck pitched a very nice game today. He's been solid for us all year.”Saxonburg (15-7) will aim to rebound against Zelienople on Saturday night at Laura J. Doerr Park in Saxonburg. The opening pitch is slated for 6.“I think we have a pretty good shot,” said Sarnese. “We've had some success against them in the past and the guys will be ready to play hard.”<B>Game 1Cranberry Twp. 010 670 0 — 14 19 1Meridian 130 212 0 — 9 12 2</B>W: Ryan O'Connor 7IP (7K, 4BB). <B>L:</B> Jace Lyon 4IP (3K, 2BB).<B>Cranberry Twp:</B> Eddie Kremmel 2B RBI; Nick Cupelli 2B 3-1B RBI; Ryan O'Connor 2B 2-1B RBI; Matt Johnson 2-2B 4RBI, Kyle Peskowitz 2RBI; Kevin Plut 4-1B; Nolan Epple 1B, Nick Madeira 2B 1B; Nate Babusci 2B 1B 4RBI.<B>Meridian:</B> Jace Lyon RBI; Bob Swartwout HR 2B 2-1B 4RBI; Grant Foley 2B; Ben Beresford 2-1B; Nick Legacy 2B 1B; Matt Dowdy 2-1B RBI; Jake Koerner 1B RBI.<B>Game 2Saxonburg 002 001 0 — 3 6 6Center Twp. 100 023 0 — 6 7 2W:</B> Cole Baxter 2IP (3K, 0BB). <B>L:</B> Mark Keck 5 1-3IP(7K, 3BB).<B>Saxonburg:</B> Mark Keck 1B; Mac Megahan 1B; Marcus Cashell 1B 2RBI; Cody Beacom RBI; Andy Fritz 2-1B; Dalton Vincik 1B.<B>Center Twp:</B> Cole Baxter 2-1B 2RBI; David Hohn 3B RBI; Ethan Rock 1B; Jennings Graham 2-1B; Ben Hortert 1B.<B>Next:</B> Butler City vs. Meridian at Pullman Park Saturday, 6 p.m.; Cranberry Twp. vs. Center Twp. at Pullman Park Saturday, 8 p.m.; Zelienople vs. Saxonburg at Laura J. Doerr Park Saturday, 6 p.m.
