BUTLER TWP — West Sunbury was down and almost out.

A loss last week to Cranberry Township in the first round of the Butler County Area Baseball League's double-elimination tournament dropped the team to the loser's bracket with a 5-13 record.

But the squad has since reeled off four straight victories, most recently a 4-1 decision over host Butler Township Thursday night.

The win sends West Sunbury to the championship round, where it must knock off defending champion Pine Richland twice to claim the league title. That task begins with a game at Graham Park at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Coach Matt Williams' team arrived at Thursday's contest following do-or-die wins over East Butler (10-2), Freeport (6-0) and Cranberry Township (13-3).

“Hitting and limiting the errors,” Williams said of the recipe for success. “We've committed just one or two errors in the tournament and that makes a big difference.”

Williams also lauded the effort of his pitchers, particularly that of Brady Thompson, who struck out eight and walked none while going the distance to earn the win Thursday.

“He struck out (10) in the win against East Butler, but I think tonight was the best he's pitched all season,” Williams said. “He was phenomenal.”

Butler Township (11-11) made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh.

Trailing by three runs, Brady Gavula began the rally with a one-out single. With two outs, Thompson's pitch hit Bryan Presco on the right elbow and Ryan Hepfl reached on an infield single to load the bases.

Josh Bonetti came to the plate as the winning run, but Thompson recorded his final strikeout to end the game.

“I've had good control all season,” said Thompson. “I lived on the outside (corner) today.”

West Sunbury took an early lead when Dean Hershey singled home Zach Caldwell in the second.

Butler Township tied the game in the bottom of the inning as Kevin King's base hit scored Logan Donnel.

It was the beginning of a six-inning stretch during which Butler tallied at least one hit in every frame, but Thompson allowed no more runs.

“He worked fast, changed speeds and threw strikes,” Butler Township coach Tyler Friel said. “That's what a pitcher needs to do in this league to be successful.

“We just never got that big hit, never had that big inning like they did.”

That would come in the top of the third for West Sunbury (9-13). Against Bonetti, Mason Mershimer led off with a double and scored on Shane Thompson's two-base hit.

Two batters later, Caldwell's single plated Shane Thompson and Tanner Williams.

Remy Pardo pitched the final four innings for Butler and held West Sunbury scoreless on two hits.

“When you're down by three runs, you can't allow any more,” Friel said. “Remy filled up the zone and gave us a chance to come back.

“I knew West Sunbury's record was not indicative of how good they are. They have good pitching depth and put the ball in play. I knew this was going to be a tough game.”

Pine Richland defeated West Sunbury in each of the teams' three meetings this season, but all three contests were close.

“I'm ready,” exclaimed Matt Williams. “With the way we're rolling right now, I'm ready.”

West Sunbury 013 000 0 — 4 9 0

Butler Twp. 010 000 0 — 1 9 0

W: Brady Thompson 7 IP (8K, 0BB). L: Josh Bonetti 3 IP (0K, 2BB)

West Sunbury (9-13): Mason Mershimer 2-1B 2B R, Shane Thompson 2B R RBI, Zach Caldwell 1B R 2RBI, Dean Hershey 1B RBI

Butler Township (11-11): Logan Donnel 3-1B R, Kevin King 2-1B RBI, Ryan Hepfl 2-1B

Saturday: West Sunbury vs. Pine Richland, Graham Park, 6 p.m.