BUTLER - North Hills was in cruise control Saturday afternoon at Pullman Park - until the sixth inning.

Butler's bats knocked the Indians out of gear at that point, forcing the visitors to scramble for a 10-8 baseball victory in nine innings at Pullman Park.

"Our kids knew how important this game was to us," North Hills coach Tim McDowell said. "We were desperate and we played like it."

With the win, the Indians stayed within two games of a playoff spot in Section 5. But the win looked like it was going to come a lot easier than it did.

North Hills had a 4-1 lead entering the bottom of the sixth and junior left-hander Steve Baranowski was working on a one-hitter. Aaron Ordy doubled to right on Baranowski's first pitch of the sixth frame and the pitcher immediately began flexing his left hand.

McDowell took him out and summoned sophomore right-hander Evan Euler from the bullpen.

"Steve felt some tightness in his forearm from his swing at a pitch in the previous inning," McDowell said.

With Baranowski out of the game, the Golden Tornado bats found new life.

Josh Edwards singled home Ordy. With one out, Todd Walker delivered a run-scoring double. With two outs, No. 9 batter and designated hitter Bruce Cornibe produced a two-run double to right and Butler had the lead.

"We didn't play well, but the kids fought back," Butler coach Ron Zawrotuk said.

With one out in the North Hills seventh, Justin Bearer walked and Ed Gorsop hit an infield single. With Brian Long - who hit a towering home run to the right of the 370-foot sign in left field earlier - due up, Zawrotuk replaced starting pitcher Shane Seybert with Tony Rossmiller.

Seybert threw 107 pitches and produced Butler's most effective starting pitching performance this year.

"Shane did a great job, but his pitch count was up and I liked Rossmiller's curve ball against Long," Zawrotuk said.

The runners pulled off a double steal, however, and Long was intentionally walked. P.J. Castellano grounded sharply to second baseman Walker, who bobbled the ball and had to settle for a force at second as the tying run scored.

"A double play is always gravy," Zawrotuk said. "Always get the sure out and that's what Todd did. I can't fault Todd Walker. He's really been doing the job for us."

Anthony Talotta grounded to third, but Edwards threw wildly to first, allowing two runs to score.

With two outs and no one on in the bottom of the seventh, Butler got even. Mike Dorondo walked and Walker and Pat Hohn produced back-to-back doubles.

North Hills' Chris Kappas was hit by a pitch with two outs in the eighth, stole second and scored on Bearer's single to center.

The Indians stole six bases on the day.

"We like to put runners in motion," McDowell said. "We have no starters back from last year and Kappas has been a real leader for us."

Butler struck back again in its eighth inning. Adam Miller tripled to center and scored on Ordy's sacrifice fly.

The Tornado committed three errors in the ninth, however, enabling two runs to score. Gorsop's leadoff single was the Indians' lone hit of the inning.

This time, Butler couldn't answer.

"We played giveaway again today," Zawrotuk said. "But we took a step. We battled back and got the lead, but we couldn't hold the lead. Next time, we have to finish it."

Butler remained winless on the year and surrendered 10 or more runs for the seventh consecutive game.

North Hills 000 121 312 - 10 13 1

Butler 000 104 210 - 8 12 6

WP:

Alan Senatore (1

IP) 3 strikeouts, 0 walks.

LP:

Tony Rossmiller (2

IP) 1 strikeout, 2 walks

North Hills (3-6, 3-4):

Chris Kappas 1B 2-R, Justin Bearer 2-1B 2-R RBI, Ed Gorsop 2-1B 2B 2-R RBI, Brian Long HR 2-R RBI, P.J. Castellano 1B 2-R RBI, Anthony Talotta 1B, Marc Morris 2-1B RBI, Steve Baranowski 2-1B

Butler (0-8, 0-7):

Adam Miller 3B, Aaron Ordy 2B RBI, Josh Edwards 3-1B 2-R RBI, Todd Walkjer 2-2B 1B 2-R RBI, Pat Hohn 2B 1B 2-RBI, Steve Scott 1B, Bruce Cornibe 2B 2-RBI

Tuesday:

Butler @ Seneca Valley