BUTLERTWP — Spare your best pitching against one of the best hitting teams in the WPIAL?

The result was predictable.

Hampton banged out 17 hits and scored in every inning but one Saturday in spoiling Butler's Senior Day with a 16-7 baseball victory at Highfield Park.

"I'm not all that surprised by what happened,"Golden Tornado coach Dave Florie said. "That team can hit the ball.

"It's OK. Regardless of the outcome, our seniors should enjoy this day. They've accomplished a lot and, hopefully, there's a lot more to come."

Butler can clinch its first playoff spot in more than a decade with a win tonight at North Hills or a loss by Fox Chapel in one of its final two games.

The Tornado can claim a share of the section title if they beat North Hills and current section leader Seneca Valley this week.

Florie received permission from the umpires to put all 12 of his seniors in the batting order Saturday.

"They've earned it,"the coach said. "Patient is the right word to describe these guys. They've all contributed and sacrificed for the team in some way."

Butler trailed 7-6 after three innings, but Hampton pulled away by scoring three times in the fourth and posting a five-spot in the fifth.

"Once we fell behind, we needed baserunners, so we had to take a lot more pitches,"Florie said. "That takes away your aggressiveness at the plate and limits you somewhat."

Ten different Talbots had hits Saturday, but the team's No. 3 and 4 batters — Josh Campanella and Chris Beatty — did the most damage. The duo combined for five hits, eight RBIand four runs scored.

"Both of those guys are hitting over .500,"Hampton coach Gary Wilson said. "Campanella's been a pleasant surprise because I didn't know who our No. 3 hitter was gonna be this year.

"Our No. 3 hitter last year batted .571, but he graduated. Josh has really come on to fill that role."

Beatty's three-run homer in the fourth was his ninth of the year.

"And none of them have been cheap,"Wilson said.

The Talbots are hitting over .400 as a team. They are averaging 10 runs per game and Saturday marked the 10th time in 17 games this season they've scored 10 or more runs.

"They've done this to people before,"Florie said.

Butler used three pitchers Saturday, but saved its two best for the section games this week. Florie said Josh Marchinoski will likely start tonight while Brian Warheit will face Seneca Valley.

Aaron Ordy had a pair of singles and Jay McDonough two RBIto pace the Tornado's nine-hit attack Saturday.

Marchinoski, Ordy and McDonough were among the 12 senior Butler players honored before the game. The others were Jim McCaslin, Adam Miller, Joe Black, Rob Cottage, Rob Cochran, Brandon Johnston, Anthony Pinto, Chet Link and Ben Cress.

Hampton 214 350 1—16 17 3Butler 312 100 0—7 9 1WP: Josh Campanella (3 IP) 1 strikeout, 0 walks. LP: Brad Cottage (2 Z\c IP) 1 strikeout, 3 walks

Hampton (13-4): Sean Hennessey 2B 1BRBI 2-R, Cory McGinnis 2-R, Scott Brady 1BRBI, Josh Campanella HR3B 1B 3-RBI 3-R, Chris Beatty HR 2B5-RBI, Marcus Magister 2B 1B 2-RBI, Jason Steen 1B, John Boy 2-1BRBI, Justin Obringer 2BRBI2-R, Kevin Doerg 2B, Scott Wilson 3BRBI, Matt Pirollo 1B

Butler (10-7): Aaron Ordy 2-1B 2-R, Jimmy McCaslin 1B, Adam Miller 3BRBI, Jay McDonough 1B2-RBI, Joe Black 1B, Brad Cottage 1BRBI, Andy Onufrak 1B, Brandon Johnston 2B2-R, Ben Cress 1BRBI

Today: Butler at North Hills