AUGUSTA — Sometimes it takes a few innings for the bats to warm up, and sometimes they never do.

Pitching and baserunning were the stars of the show in Saturday’s New England Babe Ruth League regional game between Pittsfield and Augusta’s Capital Area. The Western Massachusetts champions (2-0) bested the tournament hosts 5-0 during the second day of pool play.

This is the second shutout Pittsfield (2-0) and Capital Area (0-2) have been involved with during the regional tournament, albeit, each on opposite ends.

Both starters, Capital Area’s River Fallos and Pittsfield’s Cam Hillard, were in control the game, able to force outs on the ground or with their curveballs. Each finished the day with seven strikeouts and five walks before exhausting their pitch counts in the 7th inning.

Going into the top of the final frame, Pittsfield led by one run (scored on a passed ball in the 5th inning) and the two teams combined for just two hits. A sequence of walk-error-intentional walk loaded the bases for Pittsfield and giving the visitors the opportunity to breakaway with the lead.

Another passed ball and fielder’s choice gave Pittsfield two more runs. A stand-up double by centerfielder/relief pitcher Ed Ferris knocked in two more, securing the win.

Capital Area didn’t hang their heads down quite yet, putting two runners on base via walks before a double-play ended the game. Fallos registered the team’s only hit.

“We’re disappointed with the outcome, but we’re not disappointed with the kids,” Greg Lajoie, Capital Area head coach, said. “They played hard, they played really good defense, and River Fallos battled his way through six innings… I’m proud of them and I think tomorrow we will bounce back.”

Pittsfield Head Coach Ben Stohr was happy to end the day with a win, even without a strong performance at the plate.

“It started with Hillard on the mound,” Stohr said. “He’s been doing it a long time for us, just throwing strikes, getting ahead of hitters, letting our defense make plays… We just feel like when Cam is out there and rolling, we have a shot. Just have to give him a few runs.”

Both coaches expressed the need to get more hits over the course of the rest of the tournament, but nothing major will be changed in their approach as the final day of pool play begins on Sunday.

Pittsfield and Norwalk, both 2-0, face off on McGuire Field first at 10 a.m. The winner of the morning game will secure the Pool B 1-seed and a bye on Monday. Capital Area and North Providence-Smithfield, both 0-2, will take the field at 1 p.m. fighting for a chance to continue playing in the regional.

“It’s a ‘win no matter what’ situation,” Fallos said. “We just have to put the bat on the ball. Obviously, the last two games we haven’t done the best. We’ve been shut out twice, which isn’t us, but I think we’re in good shape for tomorrow.”