CRANBERRY TWP — Cranberry had its back against the wall after losing the first two games of its Eagle County League semifinal series to Mars II Monday and Tuesday.

It now has some company.

John Davis' two-run triple in the bottom of the fifth inning proved to be the difference in Cranberry's 5-4 win in Game 4 of the best-of-five series Thursday evening at North Boundary Park.

The decisive fifth game will be played at 6 p.m. today at Callery Field.

Cranberry remained alive with an 8-0 victory in Game 3 on Wednesday.

“Our confidence is as high right now as it's ever been,” said Cranberry player/manager Bill Clinefelter.

Mars II had grabbed a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth when John Crummy and Evan Oswald scored on separate wild pitches from eventual winning pitcher Eddie Emes.

But Cranberry's response was swift in the bottom of the inning. Against Oswald, Reed Tomlinson and Dave Coradi both singled before Davis' triple to right field.

Mars II outfielder Brian Laurito sprinted toward the foul line and made a diving attempt at the ball, but it eluded his glove and bounced past him. Tomlinson scored easily, but the relay throw was in time to nab Coradi, but his slide into home plate knocked the ball from Crummy's mitt.

Emes worked out of a jam in the sixth, stranding the tying run at third base, then pitched a flawless top of the seventh. He allowed the four runs (three earned) in the game on seven hits, striking out four and walking two.

Emes was the losing pitcher in Monday's Game 1 with six runs on 10 hits.

“He was outstanding today,” said Clinefelter. “He had just two days of rest, but he was sharper than he was in Game 1. His stuff was good today.”

Cranberry's bats came alive early, helping the team erase an early 1-0 deficit.

Clayton Bouchard got things started with a single to lead off the bottom of the first. He moved to third on a fielding error and scored on Ben Murray's base hit. Tomlinson's sacrifice fly plated Tanner Master for a 2-1 lead.

Having Bouchard at the top of the lineup has given Cranberry a spark.

“He brings a lot of speed and this field is built for speed,” said Clinefelter. “He's got a great ability to get on base. Not much falls in the outfield with him (left), Tanner Master (center) and Dave Coradi (right).

Mars II missed a golden opportunity in the top of the fourth. Down 3-2 and with two outs, Eric King and Ryan Leonberg both singled and Nick Emmerson drew a walk to load the bases. But Darren Blakley lined out moments later.

“That's baseball,” said Mars II player/manager Eric King. “Sometimes you get the big hit, sometimes you don't. But I always have confidence in this team. It's a good group of guys and we've been together for a while. We know what we're up against tomorrow.”

Oswald was the losing pitcher. He allowed five runs on nine hits in six innings.

Mars II 101 020 0 — 4 7 1

Cranberry Twp. 210 020 x — 5 9 3

W: Eddie Emes 7 IP (4K, 2BB). L: Evan Oswald 6 IP (1K, 2BB).

Mars II (21-8-1): Darren Blakley R, John Crummy 2B R RBI, Tim Geibel 1B 3B RBI, Evan Oswald R, Eric King 1B, Ryan Leonberg 1B, Nick Emmerson 2-1B R

Cranberry Township (21-11-1): Clayton Bouchard 1B 2R, Tanner Master 1B R RBI, Ben Murray 1B RBI, Reed Tomlinson 1B R RBI, Dave Coradi 2-1B R, John Davis 3B 2RBI, Joel Shaffer 2B, Bill Clinefelter 1B

Today: Mars II vs. Cranberry Township, Game 5 at Callery Field, 6 p.m.