EAST BUTLER — East Butler manager Dess Schnur was thinking about making a pitching change in Tuesday's opening round of the Butler County American Legion baseball playoffs.

Sometimes, it's the moves you don't make that are the best decisions.

Saxonburg scored one run in the fifth inning off John Marra to pull to within one run at 3-2 and still had the bases loaded with no outs.

Marra fanned Mark Stawicki and then got David Govan to hit a soft liner to second baseman Greg Hays.

Hays made a running grab then tossed the ball to shortstop Ryan Armahizer at second base to double up Robert Zanella, who had broken to third base on contact.

East Butler kept its lead intact and went on to post a 4-2 victory at Speed-O Field.

"That was the turning point," said Schnur. "That was the time I was about to pull (Marra). I had options, but keeping him in was still the best one.

"He performed and did what he had to. All they had to do was put the ball in play to frustrate us, but it didn't happen," Schnur added.

"That's a heartbreaker," said Saxonburg manager Dale Gallo. "When you have the bases loaded, no outs and can't score a run, you put the momentum in the opposite direction."

With the win, East Butler, the regular-season champion and No. 1 seed, will host Mars at Speed-O Field at 6 p.m. today while No. 8 seed Saxonburg will visit Meridian at 6 p.m. today in the first-round consolation matchup.

Things started well for Saxonburg as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

With one out, Dale Gallo singled, moved to third base on a double by Zanella and scored on a run-scoring single by Justin Thompson.

East Butler countered with two runs in the home half of the first to take the lead for good.

Bill Coleman opened with a double and scored on a Ryan Geibel double. Brad Cottage followed with an RBI single and East Butler led 2-1 just three batters into the inning.

Marra's sacrifice fly in the third inning made it 3-1 before Saxonburg made a push for the lead in the fifth inning.

Andrew Wirtz opened with a walk, then Gallo followed with a single and Zanella lined an RBI single to put runners on the corners.

Thompson was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but Marra was able to avoid any more damage.

"The one thing about John is he doesn't get rattled," said Schnur. "He's very savvy out there, very cool and got out of that jam. "

Marra finished the game with seven strikeouts and two walks while scattering eight hits. Thompson also pitched admirably, allowing nine hits, but had nine strikeouts and two walks.

"They scored two runs in the first inning and (Thompson) was working high in the zone," said Gallo. "He was able to change, and who knows what would have happened?

"He pitched a fabulous game and so did (Marra). It was the same score, I believe, from the last time we played them," Gallo added.

Jeff Kolish had a two-out single in the sixth inning, then advanced to second base on a wild pitch to put the tying runner in scoring position, but Marra struck out Wirtz.

"Saxonburg never quits. It's Saxonburg's history," said Gallo. "Go back and look year after year."

East Butler tacked on an important insurance run in the sixth inning when Armahizer had an RBI single.

The win gave East Butler a jump on trying to win the playoffs, which would give them the BCAL's one regional playoff berth.

"The first two games are important if you're going to have success," said Schnur. "It gives you an opportunity to make a mistake.

"East Butler has done this in the past. We've got a traditional team, one that has heart, that sticks together.

Saxonburg 100 010 0—2 8 3East Butler 201 001 x—4 9 0Justin Thompson and Jeff Kolish and Brandon Wissinger (6); John Marra and Ryan Geibel.

W: Marra (7 K, 2 BB).

L: Thompson (9 K, 2 BB).

Saxonburg: Dale Gallo 2-1B; Robert Zanella 1B, 2B, RBI; Justin Thompson 2-1B, RBI; Brandon Wissinger 1B; Jeff Kolish 1B

East Butler (18-3): Bill Coleman 2B; Ryan Geibel 1B, 2B, RBI; Brad Cottage 2-1B, RBI; John Marra SF RBI; Brad Marra 1B, 2B; Ryan Armahizer 2-1B, RBI

Today: Mars at East Butler, 6 p.m.; Saxonburg at Meridian, 6 p.m.