Pitching ruled.

And it was no surprise to any of the players or coaches involved in the 2013 Butler County Area Legion All-Star Game Sunday evening at Pullman Park.

The two teams combined for seven hits — the winning squad managing just two of them — as a contingent of all-stars from Meridian, East Butler and West Sunbury defeated the stars from Butler City, Center Township and Saxonburg, 1-0.

Valley, Slippery Rock, Freeport and Cranberry had no players in the game.

“This was the third time we've tried to have this game (due to rain), so some kids are on vacation or just weren't available,” Butler City manager Jerry Piroch said.

The ones who were put on a smooth show. The game was played in less than two hours.

Winning pitcher Robert Stamm of Meridian pitched five scoreless innings, scattering four hits. With runners at second and third and two outs in the third, he struck out Center Township's Kyle Campbell to end the threat.

With runners at first and second and one out in the fourth, Stamm fanned Butler City's Josh Friel and got Jordan Winters to pop up to shortstop.

“That guy's been dealing it all year,” Friel said of Stamm. “Those Meridian guys shut us down.”

Stamm struck out six and threw 83 pitches.

“I only expected to throw one inning,” Stamm said. “When they wanted me to throw more, I just kept doing what I do.”

Drew Spangler and Jesse Savisky tossed scoreless sixth and seventh innings to nail down the win.

“We didn't have any pitchers from (West Sunbury or East Butler), so I had to go with my guys,” Meridian manager Butch Master said.

The game's lone run crossed the plate in the fourth inning. With two outs, Spangler singled to center and moved to second on a passed ball. Meridian's Jake Campbell plated him with a single to center.

Spangler seemingly scored a run in the second inning. He was hit by a pitch to start the frame. When Campbell's sacrifice bunt atttempt was thrown away and rolled deep into foul territory, Spangler circled the bases and Campbell wound up on third.

But the plate umpire ruled Spangler never touched third base and called him out.

“I swear I touched the bag,” Spangler said. “I didn't even realize I was called out until we took the field for the next inning.

“We got one later, though. The pitchers were tough today all the way around.”

Campbell was stranded at third as Friel struck out West Sunbury's Colin Clark and Trevor Shaffer to end the inning.

The only player to collect two hits in the contest was Center Township's Mike Hepler. He had a pair of singles — one on a bunt — and stole a base.

Butler City's Tim Butler, Saxonburg's Tyler Smith and Center Township's Ryan Vero all singled. There were no extra-base hits in the game.

“This league was loaded with pitching this year,” Piroch said. “A lot of people think our league is watered down, but it's not watered down.

“We've got a lot of good players on a lot of teams. Friel allowed maybe three runs all year. Stamm has been fantastic all season for Meridian. This was a good ballgame.”

Before the game, Stamm, Friel and Hepler received $1,000 scholarship awards from the BCAL for their dedication to the league.