PINE TWP — For the second straight evening, Mars’ offense feasted on Pine-Richland’s pitching.

Mars scored six runs in the fourth and sixth innings in an 18-4, six-inning victory in Game 2 of a best-of-5 Eagle County League semifinal series Tuesday evening at Pine-Richland High School.

Mars won 18-3 in Game 1 on Monday.

“It’s kind of hard to explain how we’ve scored so many runs against them, especially since they’ve thrown two good pitchers at us,” said Mars player/manager Brendan Malone. “We went (3-1) against them in the regular season and two of the games were close and low-scoring.”

Mars, the five-time defending league champion, will look to end the series with a win today at Marburger Field.

Malone started the scoring Tuesday with a two-run home run in the top of the first.

Pine-Richland remained close, however, scoring a run in the bottom of the first and one in the third and trailed just 3-2 entering the fourth frame. Mars starting pitcher Jimmy Devine allowed five hits, a walk and hit a batter over the first three innings.

“It wasn’t his best effort,” said Malone. “He and (Monday’s starter) Matt DeSalvo are guys we like to think can win with just one run, but it doesn’t always work out that way.”

But Mars’ offense was about to erupt anyway. The top of the fourth began with Pine-Richland starter Brandon Smail walking the bases loaded.

Scott Ventura, Matt Johnston and Malone each drove in a run with a single while Dan Penberthy had a two-run base hit.

Smail survived the inning, but it proved to be his last. He was tagged for nine runs on seven hits, struck out three and walked six.

“Mars has definitely shown it has good hitters,” said Pine-Richland player/manager Nate Buttenfield. “Not all of our players are here and we’ve just gotten steamrolled.”

Mars (24-5-1) wasn’t finished on offense, adding three runs in the fifth and six more in the sixth off reliever Charlie Hitechew.

“When it was 9-2, one of the umpires asked me if we were going to relax and I said, ‘No way. We go until it’s over,’” said Malone.

Devine worked five innings and allowed four runs on eight hits.

He earned the win with eight strikeouts and just one walk.

Despite Mars’ incredible run production over the last two games, it stems from a simple approach according to shortstop Scott Ventura, who had two singles, three runs scored and a run batted in Tuesday.

“You just go up there and try not to do too much. Look for your pitch and drive it,” he said.

This is Ventura’s first year with Mars, but he appreciates playing for a team with lofty goals — anything less than a championship would be a disappointment.

“I like that challenge,” he said. “That’s the way it should be.”

Mars 210 636 x — 18 14 2

Pine-Richland 101 020 x — 4 8 5

W: Jimmy Devine 5 IP (8K, 1BB). L: Brandon Smail 4 IP (3K, 6BB).

Mars (24-5-1): John Taveras 2R RBI, Brendan Malone 1B HR 2R 3RBI, Dan Penberthy 1B 2B 2RBI, Bob Spithaler 1B R, Brent McCormick 2R, G.J. Senchak 1B 3B 4R 3RBI, Sam Sibeto, Sr. 1B 2R RBI, Scott Ventura 2-1B 3R RBI, Matt Johnston 2-1B 3B R 3RBI, Sam Sibeto, Jr. 1B RBI, Kevin Rayburn R

Pine-Richland: Zach Scherer 1B 3B R, Bennett Zynn 2-1B R RBI, Joe Riley 2-1B R, Zach Staszak 1B, Nate Buttenfield 1B R, Andrew Nussbaum RBI

Today: Pine-Richland vs. Mars, Game 3 at Marburger Field, 6 p.m.