JEFFERSON TWP — In the beginning, Saxonburg was running into trouble. In the end, it ran to victory.

Neil Shearer scampered home from third on a wild pitch to give Saxonburg a 3-2 victory over Meridian in the winner's bracket semifinal Thursday at Weleski Field in Laura Doerr Park.

With one out, Shearer beat out an infield single on a head-first slide, then advanced to third on Mac Megahan's double before coming home on the wild pitch.

“I've got to hand it to them,” Saxonburg coach Scott Shearer said of his team. “They didn't let up, didn't give up. They knew I was upset, but didn't let it bother them.”

Saxonburg had three walks and a single of Meridian starter Cody West over the first two innings, but had one runner caught stealing in the first inning and two picked off in the second.

Saxonburg also had a runner thrown out at home in the sixth inning to shortchange a potential big rally.

“I'm glad to be at the end of this one,” Shearer said. “I was nervous when we kept taking ourselves out of plays and out of innings.”

Megahan had retired the first 10 Meridian hitters before running into some trouble in the fourth inning. Matt Dowdy singled, stole second, then moved to third on a balk. Jacob Koerner walked, then moved to second on a stolen base. Kyle Peskowitz then lined a shot to right field which Shearer made a diving catch away from the field to end the threat.

Saxonburg took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when, with two outs, Luke Kroneberg reached on an error and Taylor Sharer walked before Cody Beacom lined an RBI single.

Meridian took a 2-1 lead when Jake Campbell opened the fifth inning with a double, then moved to third on an error off the bat of West.

West's steal of second did not draw a throw, then Tyler Friel grounded into a fielder's choice to plate one run, then Nolan Lewis followed with a run-scoring single.

“We were missing two kids (shortstop Colin Williamson and pitcher Robert Stamm), but our guys didn't quit,” Meridian coach Butch Master said.

Saxonburg then loaded the bases in the fifth and sixth innings, but could push across only one run, which did tie the game.

In the fifth, West walked the bases loaded, but also struck out the side, including Megahan and Kroneberg to end the frame.

In the sixth, a single by Taylor Sharer, an error and a walk to Zach Koller loaded the bases. A fielder's choice at home resulted in one out, but the throw to third base went down the line to score the equalizer. Koller was then thrown out trying to score.

West induced Josh Sheppeck to ground out and end the inning.

“Cody West did a great job,” Master said. “He was keeping their guys at bay. He battled, absolutely.

Shearer agreed.

“It's a shame because he's pitched some great games this year. He had a no-hitter, which we lost to Butler City, 1-0 and he lost a one-hitter. We've struggled scoring runs when Cody pitches,” he added.

Megahan finished the game with seven strikeouts and allowed just four hits and two walks.

“Mac's been a real leader on the team,” Shearer said. “He was a little rusty. He was off a week at the beach.

“But, we knew it would be this kind of game. I totaled the batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentages of the players on both teams and the difference was just four points.”

Meridian 000 020 0 — 2 4 3

Saxonburg 000 101 1 — 3 5 2

W: Mac Megahan 7 IP (7K, 2BB). L: Cody West 6.1 IP (8K, 7BB).

Meridian: Matt Dowdy 1B; Jake Campbell 2B; Cody West 1B; Tyler Friel RBI; Nolan Lewis 1B, RBI

Saxonburg: Neil Shearer 1B; Mac Megahan 2B; Taylor Sharer 2-1B; Cody Beacom 1B, RBI

Saturday: Butler City at Saxonburg, 6 p.m.; Meridian at Center Twp., 6 p.m.