BUTLER TWP — Tuesday’s Butler County legion baseball loser’s bracket finale ended with two of the most unconventional plays those in attendance will ever see.

The first put Saxonburg’s season in serious jeopardy. The second sent it to the championship round.

Holding a 5-3 lead with two outs and runners at first and second in the bottom of the seventh, Saxonburg reliever Dominick Bucko fielded a ground ball off the bat of Meridian’s Evan Knauer.

Instead of throwing to first baseman Ben Miller, Bucko kept the ball and charged toward first base, looking to make the play himself. Knauer, though, was racing down the line and just beat Bucko to the bag to load the bases. Miller remained on the bag almost the entire time, bailing out just in time to avoid a collision with Bucko.

Moments later, with Ryan Bargo at the plate, Knauer attempted to steal second base even though it was already occupied by teammate Zach Henderson. Knauer did not realize his gaffe until he was at the bag, then tried to scramble back to first.

Saxonburg catcher Jeremy Frazier never unloaded the ball, electing instead to run toward Knauer, who almost made it back to first. But just as Knauer began his slide, Frazier, catching gear and all, made a lunging tag and held onto the ball for a most unusual final out at Highfield Park.

“I don’t know what Evan was thinking,” said Meridian coach Butch Master. “He took off for second, but with the bases loaded, there was no place for him.”

Saxonburg coach Steve Hall was glad to see his team survive the first awkward sequence on Knauer’s grounder back to the mound.

“Dominick doesn’t have a whole lot of pitching experience,” said Hall. “That seems like a very easy play, but it can be difficult. He is used to making throws from the outfield.”

Saxonburg’s win sets up a showdown with East Butler. The two teams will face off at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Speed-O Field.

With East Butler undefeated in the double-elimination tournament, Saxonburg needs two wins to claim the title.

Bucko entered Tuesday’s game in the sixth after Brandon Stull worked the first 5 1/3 innings, leaving the game with a 5-2 lead. Bucko stranded the two runners he inherited.

After one out in the seventh, he issued back-to-back walks to Justin Rickert and Zach Kozlowski. Henderson’s single cut Meridian’s deficit to 5-3. Frazier caught a foul tip third strike off the bat of Cody Laue for the second out, which brought Knauer to the plate.

Stull earned the win, striking out two and walking two while allowing the two runs on seven hits.

“He pitches for the Colt team,” Hall said of Stull. “He’s played a bit for us this season, but this was his first start on the mound. He did an outstanding job today. He threw strikes and stayed ahead of the hitters.”

Stull was the recipient of a four-run top of the fourth inning that proved to be the difference in the game. Meridian committed three of its four errors in the frame. Matt Cornetti delivered the big hit with a two-run single that plated Gavin Miller and Hyte Eurich. A fielding error then allowed Mike McCarty to score.

Jesse Savisky was the hard-luck loser. Pitching a complete game, he allowed five runs (two earned) on just four hits.

“Our defense was usually good this year,” said Master. “We struggled a good bit offensively, but our pitching kept us in games.”

Saxonburg 100 400 0 — 5 4 3

Meridian 000 110 1 — 3 8 4

W: Brandon Stull 5.1 IP (2K, 2BB). L: Jesse Savisky 7 IP (2K, 4BB). S: Dominick Bucko (1K, 2BB).

Saxonburg (10-3-1): Dominick Bucko 1B R, Garrett Traggiai R, Gavin Miller 1B R, Hyte Eurich 3B R, Mike McCarty R RBI, Matt Cornetti 1B 2RBI

Meridian (13-9): Jacob Stutz 1B, Nick Malis 2-1B, Justin Rickert R, Zach Kozlowski 1B RBI, Zach Henderson 1B 2B R RBI, Ryan Bargo 1B, Nick Robinson 1B R

Thursday: Saxonburg at East Butler, 8:30 p.m.