JEFFERSON TWP — Joel Stutz extended the damage.

Then the Meridian right fielder helped to inflict it.

Stutz dropped a fly ball on what would have been the third out of the fourth inning, turning a two-run inning into a four-run frame for Saxonburg in a first-round BCAL Tournament game Tuesday night at Laura Doerr Park.

Meridian trailed 5-2 at that point, but a sacrifice fly and RBI single off Stutz's bat later helped the No. 8 seed rally for a 7-5 victory.

“That was a terrible error,” Stutz said. “I let the team down there. It felt great to be able to redeem myself.

“It was a relief, really.”

Saxonburg entered the game as the double-elimination tournament's No. 1 seed. But three starters were on vacation and missed Tuesday's contest.

“We still had plenty of great players out there,” Saxonburg manager Mike Hickey said. “We made some mistakes defensively late and it cost us.

“I always say that defense wins games. Meridian played better down the stretch than we did.”

Meridian took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the fourth. But Jeremy Frazier lined a one-out double to left and Jeff Smolen singled him to third. Matt Cornetti's single to left tied the game and Ben McMillen's infield single gave Saxonburg the lead.

With two outs, Jeremy Reep lofted the fly ball to right that Stutz dropped. A run scored on that play and Reep later scored on a wild pitch to give Saxonburg its 5-2 lead.

“To come right back and put three runs up like we did was awesome,” Meridian manager Butch Master said.

Singles by Shawn Marcellus, Sam Gross and Justin Rickert loaded the bases with none out for Meridian in the fifth, Jace Stutz lined a two-run single to right and Joel Stutz's sacrifice fly knotted the game.

The deciding two runs were scored in the Meridian seventh. Gross singled to center and moved up a base on an outfield error. With two outs, Jace Stutz's ground ball waas booted at shortstop, allowing Gross to score. Stutz moved to second on the throw to the plate and Joel Stutz delivered a run-scoring single to right.

“We had to go one batter at a time,” Jace Stutz said. “Sam was pitching a great game. We had to keep battling.”

Gross pitched a complete game for Meridian, throwing 97 pitches. He struck out only one in pitching to contact.

“Sam's a workhorse. We can always count on him,” Master said. “Some errors hurt us early, but we played well late.”

Gross contributed three singles and two runs scored from the leadoff spot in Meridian's batting order.

“Our first three hitters did a great job of getting on base tonight,” Joel Stutz said. “The RBIs can't happen without them.”

Saxonburg's loss spoiled a stellar effort by Frazier on the mound. He struck out eight in a route-going performance, throwing 123 pitches.

“Jeremy is a bulldog out there,” Hickey said. “He was Knoch's No. 1 or 2 pitcher all year. He was getting his pitches up early in the game, but he settled down and pitched well. He deserved better.

“We came out of the loser's bracket to win this tournament last year. We can do it again.”

Master believes his team can make a run as well.

“We're coming together at the right time,” he said. “If Jeremy Frazier isn't the best pitcher in this league, he's right up there. This is a huge win for us.”

Meridian 000 230 2 — 7 10 3

Saxonburg 001 400 0 — 5 8 4

W: Sam Gross 7IP (1K, 4BB). L: Jeremy Frazier 7IP (8K, 2BB).

Meridian (9-6): Sam Gross 3-1B 2-R, Justin Rickert 1B, Jefferson Ford 1B 2-R, Jace Stutz 1B 2-RBI, Joel Stutz 2B 1B 3-RBI, Nick Malis 1B RBI, Shawn Marcellus 1B

Saxonburg (14-4): Nick Guercio 1B, Garrett Traggiai 1B RBI, PJ Gourley 1B, Jeremy Frazier 2B, Jeff Smolen 1B, Matt Cornetti 1B RBI, Ben McMillen 1B RBI, Jeremy Reep 1B

Thursday: Meridian at Valley, Saxonburg vs. Center Township