BUTLER TWP — Colin Williamson is used to getting things started for Butler’s baseball team.

Wednesday evening, he played the role of finisher.

The senior shortstop led off the bottom of the seventh inning and belted a 1-0 pitch over the left-field fence, giving the Golden Tornado a 5-4 non-section victory over Franklin Regional at Butler’s high school field.

“It was a fastball, up and in,” said Williamson of the game’s final pitch. “I felt it right off the bat and knew it had a chance to get out. It feels awesome to win a game with a home run, especially since it was my first of the season.”

Tornado coach Todd Erdos was a bit surprised to see the ball sail over the fence, but is accustomed to watching Williamson help the team win.

“He’s usually in the leadoff spot and is more of a gap hitter,” Erdos said. “He’s done a tremendous job with solid defense and he makes things happen with his speed and bat.”

The decisive run was the only tally allowed by Panthers’ reliever Brett Myers, who had entered the game at the start of the fifth. He took the loss after striking out three and walking none.

“He’s a good pitcher,” said Franklin Regional coach Rob Saddler. “(Williamson) is a great hitter and he got good wood on it. Other than that one pitch, Brett did a great job.”

Picking up the win for Butler (12-4) was reliever Adam Schaffner, who took the mound to start the top of the fifth inning.

He surrendered two runs to the Panthers in that frame — on Nick Vento’s solo home run and Nick DiDiano’s RBI-single — that tied the game at four, but also retired six of the last seven batters he faced, opening the door for Williamson to win the game with one swing of the bat.

“He’s started a couple of games for us,” Erdos said of Schaffner. “He’s eaten innings up for us and after giving up two runs tonight, did a good job of keeping us in it.”

The Tornado scored their first four runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Trailing 2-0, Dante Dorcy got things going for Butler with a leadoff double. He later scored on Josh Friel’s base hit.

Thomas Bruce and Cory Wheeler both drove in a run with a hit and Friel scored on a wild pitch. All of the damage came against Panthers’ reliever Connor Fitzmaurice.

Butler’s Zakk Foringer started on the mound, giving up a pair of runs in the third inning. He struck out three and walked three in his four innings of work.

“It was his first start of the season,” said Erdos. “He threw strikes and made them put the bat on the ball.”

Both teams still have playoff hopes, Franklin Regional in Section 4 and Butler in Section 1.

“Coming up short is no fun,” said Saddler, “but seeing the way we battled tonight, it’s very encouraging.”

Both Butler and Shaler are currently 6-4 in section play. Seneca Valley (8-2) and North Allegheny (7-3) hold the top two spots.

The top three teams will make the WPIAL playoffs. Butler’s remaining section games include Fox Chapel and Seneca Valley.

“If we end up tied with Shaler, they would go to the playoffs instead of us because they beat us twice,” said Erdos. “Hopefully, if we win our last two, we’ll get in.

“Tonight’s win, especially with the way we won it, hopefully the momentum will carry over for us.”

Note: Justin Johnson started the game on the mound for the Panthers (7-9) and pitched three scoreless innings.

Franklin Reg. 002 020 0 — 4 7 1Butler 000 400 1 — 5 8 1W: Adam Schaffner 3 IP (3K, 1BB).

L: Brett Myers 2+ IP (3K, 0BB).

Franklin Regional (7-9): Dan McGrath 2-1B R SB, Pat Kukalis RBI, Nick Vento HR, Brandon Nania R, Nick DiDiano 1B RBI, Colin Jonov 3-1B R

Butler (12-4): Colin Williamson 1B HR, Mick Fennell 1B, Dante Dorcy 2B R, David Tompkins R, Josh Friel 1B R RBI, Cory Wheeler 1B RBI, Matt Baranchak 1B SB, Thomas Bruce 1B R RBI

Friday: Butler at Fox Chapel