EAST BUTLER — Dess Schnur was concerned that his team would have trouble shaking off the rust after a week layoff.

But the East Butler American Legion baseball coach must have breathed a sigh of relief when his team came out swinging.

East Butler tallied four runs on four hits in the bottom of the first inning en route to a 13-4 victory over Prospect in the first game of the Butler County American Legion's best-of-3 championship series Thursday at Speed-O Field.

Game 2 is at 6 p.m. today at Slippery Rock High's field.

"I was concerned that we would come out flat," Schnur said Thursday. "Our boys indicated after the playoff tournament (losses) that they needed a break.

"We did hold a few good batting practices," he added.

Before East Butler could pick up the bats, it was blindsided by having its ace pitcher, Brad Cottage, removed from the game for wearing a necklace.

After Cottage retired the first two batters of the game, the first base umpire spotted the necklace around the pitcher's neck and told him to leave the field.

"That's the first time this season any of our boys have worn jewelry during a game," said Schnur, who had no complaint about the ruling. "That's the rule. The player must leave the game.

"I had no idea he had the necklace on," Schnur. "And I think he just forgot he was wearing it. Usually, he takes it off before the game and hangs it here in the dugout."

Greg Hays replaced Cottage and was the recipient of six runs over the first two innings.

Prospect starting pitcher Mark White surrendered a two-run double to Brad Marra in the bottom of the first and two other runs scored on a fielding error, the first of five Prospect committed in the game.

It was in the bottom of the second that tension grew between Prospect players, coach Paul Malley and the home plate umpire.

White walked three straight batters, with several borderline pitches being called balls.

The final two walks came with the bases loaded, forcing in two runs to extend East Butler's lead to 6-0. White was then relieved by Jesse Badgett.

"All I know is we ended up walking (nine) batters and East Butler walked (one)," said Malley. "And I had my best pitcher on the mound tonight. That tells the whole story right there."

Prospect pushed the distractions aside to mount a comeback in the third inning that featured back-to-back mammoth home runs by Brandon Ray and Ryan Ferguson.

White added an RBI double in the frame to slice East Butler's lead to 6-4.

Schnur elected to send John Marra to the mound in the top of the fourth inning.

It was a good decision, as Marra pitched four shutout innings to earn the save.

"Greg pitched well early, but he lost a bit of speed the second time through the order and I needed to make a change," Schnur said. "John stepped up and did very well tonight."

East Butler spent the rest of the game adding insurance runs, including three in the fourth, two in the fifth and two more in the sixth inning.

Nick Cress pitched the final 1Z\c innings for Prospect.

Mike Bresnahan had a single, a double and three RBI for East Butler, while Brad Marra tallied two singles, a double, a run scored and three RBI.

Notes: If a third game is necessary, it will be played at 2 p.m. Sunday at Pullman Park. ... Cottage will be available to pitch in Game 3, if necessary. ... The winner of the series will play in the Region 7 Tournament, starting July 28 in Bellefonte.

Prospect 004 000 0—4 7 5East Butler 420 322 x—13 12 0Mark White, Jesse Badgett (2, 1 K, 3 BB), Nick Cress (5, 0 K, 1 BB) and Brandon Ray; Brad Cottage (1 K, 0 BB), Greg Hays (1), John Marra (4) and Ryan Geibel.

W: Hays (0 K, 1 BB).

L: White (1 K, 5 BB).

SV: John Marra (3 K, 0 BB).

Prospect (17-5): Nick Cress 2B R, Mark White 2B R RBI, Brandon Ray HR 2 RBI, Ryan Ferguson 1B HR, Sean Lefebvre 1B, Jarod Agostino 1B

East Butler (18-5): Bill Coleman 1B 2R, Ryan Geibel 2-1B 2R, Nick Rossmiller R, John Marra 1B 2B 3R RBI, Brad Marra 2-1B 2B 2R 3 RBI, Mike Bresnahan 1B 2B 3 RBI, Greg Hays 2B R 2 RBI, Derek Hays 2B 2R

Today: East Butler vs. Prospect, 6 p.m. at Slippery Rock High School; Game 2 of best-of-3 series