BUTLER TWP — One big inning was all Butler City needed for a chance at a championship.

It wasted no time putting it together.

Butler City plated its first seven batters of the game in a nine-run first inning and coasted to an 11-1 win over Center Township in the Butler County American Legion winner’s bracket final on Saturday at Highfield Park.

Spencer Murray — who pitched a complete-game four-hitter — sparked the rally with a leadoff double to center field and Butler City started rolling with a full head of steam.

Shay Stobert went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, two RBIs, a stolen base and five assists at shortstop.

“You always want to hit your stride late in the season right before playoffs and into the playoffs,” said Stobert. “We have the team to do it this year. We’ve got to get City it’s first Legion championship.”

Butler City (15-6) is just one win away.

Fourth-seeded Center Township (14-7) will look to rebound on Thursday in the loser’s bracket final against either No. 1 Meridian or No. 2 East Butler. The winner of that game will need to beat third-seeded Butler City twice to claim the BCAL crown.

After the decisive first inning — which featured seven BC hits, two walks, a hit batsman and a sacrifice fly — Center Township settled in and was competitive the rest of the way.

“It was that one bad inning,” said CT manager Doug Culbertson. “The way they hit the ball tonight, they would have been tough to beat for anybody.”

Pat Byrd relieved starter Pat Lokhaiser and went on to pitch 3 2-3 innings, gave up two runs — one earned — and struck out two. Evan Barber hurled the final two innings and allowed one unearned run.

“They kept us at bay,” said Butler City manager Jerry Piroch. “They had a bad inning there in the first inning, but after that they tightened it up and played well.”

Butler City touched up Lokhaiser for seven earned runs on five hits.

“We’re a fastball-hitting team,” said Piroch. “Pat threw hard and we were on him.”

It was the final game of the season for Lokhaiser, who leaves for the military this week. He belted a double to deep center field in his final at-bat.

“I’m glad he got another chance to pitch in American Legion baseball and I’m proud of him because he’s going to defend our country,” said Piroch. “That’s all in the heart and I told him that after the game.”

“He’s leaving Tuesday,” said Culbertson. “You have to admire him for doing what he’s doing.”

Murray struck out four and walked three in the four-hitter. An RBI double off the bat of Adam Voelker was his only blemish of the evening.

“He was strong,” said Piroch. “Spencer was on.”

Culbertson is confident Center Township can still make a run at the title.

“Next game we come back, they’ll be ready to win,” Culbertson said. “We’ll put a good team on the field and play a competitive game.

“We’ve done that three times this year,” he added. “We’ve had a bad game and came back and went on a good run. We’ll see what happens next.”

Center Township 001 000 0 — 1 4 2

Butler City 900 101 x —11 10 0

W: Spencer Murray 7IP (4K, 3BB). L: Pat Lokhaiser (0K, 2BB).

Center Township (14-7): Adam Voelker 2B, RBI; Pat Lokhaiser 2B; Kyle Campbell BB; Max Bachman 1B, BB; Doug DeFrancis 1B, SB; Pat Byrd BB, R.

Butler City (15-6): Spencer Murray 2B, 1B, 2-R, RBI; Shay Stobert 3-1B, 3-R, 2-RBI, SB; Alex Ziegler HBP, 3-RBI; Tim Butler 1B, RBI; Josh Friel 1B, RBI; Hunter Moore 2B, 1B, BB, R; Jordan Winters 1B, 2-RBI; Tristen Fields RBI; Sheldon Hile BB, R; Will Beichner BB

Thursday: Center Township vs. Meridian/East Butler

Saturday: Butler City vs. Center Township/Meridian/East Butler